Multiple Choice
Why do populations grow more slowly as they approach their carrying capacity?
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50. Population Ecology
Factors Limiting Population Growth
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a density-independent factor that limits a population’s growth?
A
Disease.
B
Drought.
C
Lack of food availability.
D
Predation.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the difference between density-dependent and density-independent factors. Density-dependent factors are those that have varying effects based on the population size, such as disease, competition, and predation. Density-independent factors affect the population regardless of its size, such as natural disasters or climate conditions.
Identify the options given in the problem: Disease, Drought, Lack of food availability, and Predation.
Analyze each option: Disease is a density-dependent factor because its impact increases with population density. Lack of food availability is also density-dependent as it becomes more significant with higher population density. Predation is density-dependent because predators often target more abundant prey.
Consider the option of Drought. Drought is a density-independent factor because it affects the population regardless of its size. It is a climatic event that can impact all individuals in a population equally, regardless of how many there are.
Conclude that the correct answer is Drought, as it is the only density-independent factor among the options provided.
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