AP Success - AP Biology Conceptual Analysis: Evolution - Mathematical Modeling of Populations

A group of scientists are studying a population of rabbits in a large, enclosed field. They have observed that the population doubles every year. The field has a carrying capacity of 1000 rabbits. The scientists have been monitoring the population for 5 years, and they started with an initial population of 50 rabbits.

Describe the growth of the rabbit population in this field over time.

The scientists observed that the population growth slowed down after the fourth year. Explain this observation using the mathematical model you described in part (a).

Predict the rabbit population in the field after 7 years, assuming the conditions remain the same.

The scientists claim that the rabbit population will never exceed the carrying capacity of the field. Justify this claim using the mathematical model and detailed reasoning.