A flood hit an area, destroying much of the surrounding ecosystem. One animal species survived the flood, but all of its competitors were eliminated. Despite the reduced competition and an abundance of other resources, there was no substantial growth recorded in the population of the surviving species. What are the plausible reasons for this lack of population growth? A: changes in abiotic factors
B: new competition from nonnative animals displaced by the flood
C: a decrease in predators
D: an increase in available living space
E: lack of available mates after the flood

WORTH 20 POINTS