Questions: Did the carrying capacity of the moose change when more moose were added to the island population?

The answer is the third one: No, the carrying capacity didn't change, because moose are limited by plant growth, which didn't change.

Explanation for each option:

1. Yes. The carrying capacity increased temporarily when more moose arrived, and then it dropped again.

   • This option suggests that the carrying capacity is flexible and can temporarily increase with the arrival of more moose. However, carrying capacity is determined by the environment's ability to support a population, primarily through available resources like food. Simply adding more individuals does not increase the carrying capacity; it may temporarily exceed it, leading to resource depletion and a subsequent population decline.

2. No, the carrying capacity didn't change, because the extra moose all died within a few years of arriving.

   • This option correctly states that the carrying capacity did not change, but the reasoning is incomplete. While the death of extra moose indicates that the population exceeded the carrying capacity, it does not explain why the carrying capacity itself remained unchanged.

3. No, the carrying capacity didn't change, because moose are limited by plant growth, which didn't change.

   • This option correctly identifies that the carrying capacity is determined by the availability of resources, such as plant growth, which did not change. Therefore, the carrying capacity remained constant despite the temporary increase in moose population.

In summary, the carrying capacity of the moose did not change because it is determined by the availability of resources, which remained constant.