In population ecology, an ideal habitat with unlimited resources is associated with which pattern of population growth?

Introduction / Context:
Population ecology studies how populations of organisms change in size over time and how they interact with their environment. Two classic models of population growth are exponential growth and logistic growth. This question asks which model best fits an ideal habitat with unlimited resources, which is a standard theoretical concept in ecology.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The habitat is described as ideal, with unlimited resources.
• No limiting factors like food shortage, disease, or space are mentioned.
• We are comparing exponential growth and logistic growth patterns.

Concept / Approach:
Exponential growth occurs when a population grows at a rate that is proportional to its current size, without significant limits from the environment. In this situation, the population curve rises steeply because more individuals produce more offspring. Logistic growth, in contrast, includes the idea of a carrying capacity, the maximum population size that the environment can support. When resources are limited, population growth slows and levels off near this carrying capacity. An ideal habitat with unlimited resources fits the assumptions of exponential growth, not logistic growth.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note the phrase ideal habitat with unlimited resources, which means no effective environmental resistance. Step 2: Recall that exponential growth assumes unlimited resources and constant per capita growth rate. Step 3: Recall that logistic growth assumes limited resources and includes a carrying capacity that flattens the growth curve. Step 4: Match these ideas with the options and choose the one that clearly mentions exponential growth with rapid increase in population size.

Verification / Alternative check:
A simple check is to picture the two curves. Exponential growth gives a J shaped curve that keeps rising sharply, while logistic growth gives an S shaped curve that levels off. Unlimited resources mean the population does not yet face the limits that create the upper flat portion of the logistic curve. Therefore the situation described matches the exponential model.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A is wrong because some form of growth will occur, and the ideal unlimited resource condition does fit exponential growth. Option B is wrong because population crashes and extinctions are not expected in an ideal habitat with unlimited resources. Option C is wrong because logistic growth depends on limited resources and carrying capacity, which contradicts the idea of unlimited resources. Option E is wrong because a constant zero growth rate would mean no net change in population size, which does not match an ideal unlimited resource scenario.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse exponential and logistic growth because both start with a rising curve. The key difference is that exponential growth assumes no limits, while logistic growth includes environmental resistance and a carrying capacity. Always link unlimited resources with exponential growth and limited resources with logistic growth to avoid this confusion.

Final Answer:
In an ideal habitat with unlimited resources, the population shows Exponential growth with rapid increase in population size.