Limiting Factors

Front

What are limiting factors in an ecosystem?

Back

Limiting factors are environmental conditions that restrict the growth, abundance, or distribution of a population within an ecosystem.

Front

What is the difference between density-dependent and density-independent limiting factors?

Back

Density-dependent factors are influenced by the population size (e.g., competition, predation), while density-independent factors affect populations regardless of their size (e.g., natural disasters).

Front

Give an example of a density-dependent limiting factor.

Back

An example of a density-dependent limiting factor is competition for food among animals in a crowded habitat.

Front

Give an example of a density-independent limiting factor.

Back

An example of a density-independent limiting factor is a severe drought that affects all plants in an area, regardless of their population size.

Front

What happens to a population when it exceeds its carrying capacity?

Back

When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, density-dependent limiting factors, such as food shortages and increased competition, will cause the population to decrease.

Front

Define carrying capacity.

Back

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support.

Front

What role do predators play in population dynamics?

Back

Predators can control the population size of their prey, creating a balance in the ecosystem through predator-prey relationships.

Front

How does competition affect population size?

Back

Competition for resources such as food, water, and space can limit population growth and lead to a decrease in population size.

Front

What is the impact of a natural disaster on population size?

Back

Natural disasters can cause sudden and significant decreases in population size, acting as density-independent limiting factors.

Front

What is an example of a density-dependent factor affecting human populations?

Back

An example of a density-dependent factor affecting human populations is the spread of disease in crowded urban areas.