Limiting Factors Review

Front

What is a limiting factor in an ecosystem?

Back

A limiting factor is a condition that restricts the growth, abundance, or distribution of an organism or a population within an ecosystem.

Front

Define density-dependent factors.

Back

Density-dependent factors are environmental factors whose effects on a population vary with population density, such as competition, predation, and disease.

Front

Define density-independent factors.

Back

Density-independent factors are environmental factors that affect populations regardless of their density, such as natural disasters, climate, and human activities.

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

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

Front

Give an example of a density-dependent factor affecting population growth.

Back

Predation is a density-dependent factor; as prey population increases, predator population may also increase, affecting prey survival.

Front

Give an example of a density-independent factor affecting population growth.

Back

Natural disasters, like hurricanes or wildfires, are density-independent factors that can drastically reduce populations regardless of their size.

Front

What is competition in ecological terms?

Back

Competition occurs when two or more species or individuals vie for the same resources, such as food, space, or mates.

Front

How does predation affect population dynamics?

Back

Predation can control population sizes by reducing the number of prey, which can lead to changes in the population of both predators and prey.

Front

What is the difference between interspecific and intraspecific competition?

Back

Interspecific competition occurs between different species, while intraspecific competition occurs within the same species.

Front

What role does stress play in population dynamics?

Back

Stress can lead to decreased reproduction rates and increased mortality, affecting population size and health.