Limits to Growth by

limiting Factor

rhjzytjxww — 2024-02-21 13:42:25 UTC

A limiting factor is any factor that controls the growth of a population.

density-dependent limiting factor

rhjzytjxww — 2024-02-21 13:46:46 UTC

Limiting factor that depends on population density,

density-independent limiting factor

rhjzytjxww — 2024-02-21 13:48:28 UTC

Limiting factor that affects all populations in similar ways, regardless of the population density.

rhjzytjxww — 2024-02-21 13:52:28 UTC

Competition is a density-dependent limiting factor, because the more individuals that are present in an area, the sooner they use up the available resources.

rhjzytjxww — 2024-02-21 13:57:47 UTC

Some species fight amongst themselves if overcrowded. In some species, such as chimpanzees, the winner in a fight may kill his opponent. In other cases, constant fighting can cause stress, which weakens the body’s ability to resist disease.Overcrowding can have other effects, too. In some species, overcrowding stress can cause females to neglect, kill, or even eat their own offspring. Thus, overcrowding can lower birthrates, raise death rates, or both. Stress can also increase rates of emigration.

rhjzytjxww — 2024-02-21 13:59:02 UTC

These data showing changes in moose and wolf populations on Isle Royale illustrate how predators (wolves) affect prey populations (moose), and how availability of prey affects predator populations.

Predation and Herbivory

rhjzytjxww — 2024-02-21 14:00:08 UTC

The effects of predators on prey and the effects of herbivores on plants are important density-dependent population controls

Predator-Prey Relationships

rhjzytjxww — 2024-02-21 14:00:49 UTC

Populations of predators and prey may rise and fall over time.Sometimes, the moose population on Isle Royale increases enough that moose become easy prey for wolves.

Herbivore Effects

rhjzytjxww — 2024-02-21 14:05:06 UTC

Herbivory can also contribute to changes in population size. From a plant’s perspective, herbivores are predators.

Humans as Predators

rhjzytjxww — 2024-02-21 14:06:14 UTC

n some situations, human activity limits populations. For example, eighteenth-century hunters killed many otters, greatly increasing the population death rate.

Plant-Herbivore Interactions

rhjzytjxww — 2024-02-21 14:07:32 UTC

Plants are the “prey” of herbivores. Interactions between herbivore populations and plant populations can experience the same kinds of fluctuations that occur between predators and prey.