1x A A constant rate of increase (max) for a population produces a growth graph that is J-shaped rather than a straight line. Why? B C D 500 E Year (A.D.) The per capita rate of increase approaches zero as the carrying capacity is reached. New individuals are added to the population most rapidly at intermediate population sizes. There is often a lag time before the negative effects of an increasing population are realized. 1500 The population accumulates more new individuals per unit of time when it is large as compared to when it is small The population grows in a J-shaped pattern like this because of drastic reductions in the death rate. 2000​