Question
The white-tailed deer population in a forest has been gradually increasing for several years and is approaching the carrying capacity of the habitat.
Which three density-dependent limiting factors are most likely to impact the growth rate as the population approaches carrying capacity?
wildfire
disease
predation
competition
water pollution
prolonged drought
Which three density-dependent limiting factors are most likely to impact the growth rate as the population approaches carrying capacity?
wildfire
disease
predation
competition
water pollution
prolonged drought
Answers
GPT-4o mini
As the white-tailed deer population approaches the carrying capacity of its habitat, the three density-dependent limiting factors that are most likely to impact the growth rate are:
1. **Competition** - As the population increases, individuals will compete for limited resources such as food, space, and shelter. This competition can lead to decreased reproductive success and increased mortality.
2. **Disease** - Higher population densities can facilitate the spread of diseases among individuals. As more deer are in close proximity to one another, the likelihood of disease transmission increases, potentially impacting overall health and survival rates.
3. **Predation** - An increase in deer population can attract more predators, or existing predators may have an easier time locating their prey. This heightened predation pressure can reduce the survival rates of the deer population.
While factors like wildfire, water pollution, and prolonged drought can impact populations, they are generally density-independent factors and do not specifically depend on population density.
1. **Competition** - As the population increases, individuals will compete for limited resources such as food, space, and shelter. This competition can lead to decreased reproductive success and increased mortality.
2. **Disease** - Higher population densities can facilitate the spread of diseases among individuals. As more deer are in close proximity to one another, the likelihood of disease transmission increases, potentially impacting overall health and survival rates.
3. **Predation** - An increase in deer population can attract more predators, or existing predators may have an easier time locating their prey. This heightened predation pressure can reduce the survival rates of the deer population.
While factors like wildfire, water pollution, and prolonged drought can impact populations, they are generally density-independent factors and do not specifically depend on population density.