A scientist was studying a population of elephants. The first year, he counted a population of 80. Over the next eight years, the population's numbers were 94, 100, 103, 110, 125, 120, 125, 120. What appears to be the carrying capacity for this population? 120 124 125 126

125

Explanation:

The correct option would be 125.

The carrying capacity of a particular environment generally refers to the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that the environment can support at a particular time based on the resources it has. Hence, the maximum population of a species will normally oscillate around the carrying capacity of the environment where it is found.

In the case of the elephants in the illustration, the maximum population recorded was 125. The population decreased from this value at some point only to increased back to it later.

Hence, the carrying capacity for the elephant is 125.