Match each term with its definition. a. carrying capacity sudden extreme decrease in population b. exponential growth the maximum population of a species that the resources of its habitat can support c. logistic growth s-curve (population increase that is slow, then accelerating, then slowing and finally leveling off) d. population crash population increase where the rate of growth stays the same but numbers increase at an accelerating rate

Carrying Capacity: The maximum population of a species that the resources of its habitat can support.

Exponential Growth: Population increase where the rate of growth stays the same but numbers increase at an accelerating rate.

Logistic Growth: S-curve (population increase that is slow, then accelerating, then slowing and finally leveling off).

Population Crash: Sudden extreme decrease in population.

the first phase of the government’s plan for settlement was building the transcontinental railroad. the railroad provided a way to bring settlers and manufactured goods west and ship their agricultural and mining produce east. the transcontinental railroad was an essential artery for rapid development of the frontier.

the second phase of the government’s plan was a liberal land distribution policy that made it possible for many people to homestead. with these two key elements—transportation and cheap land—the government rapidly achieved its goal of persuading people to move west, settle on farms, and push back the frontier.