Population practice problems
Solve the following population problems in your journal! Show your work and don’t forget to include your units!
1. In 1960 the Red Salmon Run up the Cedar River was 64,500 fish. In 1970 the run numbered 89,500 fish. Calculate the
rate of growth per year.
2. In 1995 the Puget Sound Resident Orca population was at 98 and in 2010 it was at 85. What has been the rate of
decrease in the Orca population per year?
3. There are 34 students in a classroom that measures 130 square meters. What is the density of students?
4. A population of reindeer has 3000 individuals on an island with an area of 15 square miles. What is the population
density?
5. This same reindeer population experiences a disease that kills
half of the population, leaving only 1500 reindeer living. What is
the new population density?
6. Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a
particular species that can be supported in a given environment.
According to the graph below, what is the carrying capacity of
wolves in Yellowstone?
7. Explain in complete sentences why if the carrying capacity of a
habitat is 50 birds and 10 birds die, the carrying capacity is still
50 birds.
8. A limiting factor is an environmental factor that tends to limit the size or growth of a population. What are some
limiting factors that might affect the wolf population in Yellowstone?
9. Make up an organism and explain 3 limiting factors which influence its growth.
Population practice problems
Solve the following population problems in your journal! Show your work and don’t forget to include your units!
1. In 1960 the Red Salmon Run up the Cedar River was 64,500 fish. In 1970 the run numbered 89,500 fish. Calculate the
rate of growth per year.
2. In 1995 the Puget Sound Resident Orca population was at 98 and in 2010 it was at 85. What has been the rate of
decrease in the Orca population per year?
3. There are 34 students in a classroom that measures 130 square meters. What is the density of students?
4. A population of reindeer has 3000 individuals on an island with an area of 15 square miles. What is the population
density?
5. This same reindeer population experiences a disease that kills
half of the population, leaving only 1500 reindeer living. What is
the new population density?
6. Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a
particular species that can be supported in a given environment.
According to the graph below, what is the carrying capacity of
wolves in Yellowstone?
7. Explain in complete sentences why if the carrying capacity of a
habitat is 50 birds and 10 birds die, the carrying capacity is still
50 birds.
8. A limiting factor is an environmental factor that tends to limit the size or growth of a population. What are some
limiting factors that might affect the wolf population in Yellowstone?
9. Make up an organism and explain 3 limiting factors which influence its growth.