What is the difference between Density-Dependent and Density-Independent Factors on populations?

Question

A. density-dependent factors exert a greater influence when there are more individuals; density-independent exerts the same influence on all individuals regardless of their number
B. density-dependent factors exert a greater influence on larger, more dense individuals; density-independent factors exet the same impact on individuals of all size
C. density-dependent factors exert the same influence on all individuals regardless of their number; density-independent factors exert a greater influence when there are more individuals regardless of their number
D. or all of the above

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

A. density-dependent factors exert a greater influence when there are more individuals; density-independent exerts the same influence on all individuals regardless of their number.

Explanation:

• Density-dependent factors are those that become more significant as the population density increases. Common examples include competition for resources, predation, disease, and parasitism. As the population size increases, these factors typically have a greater impact on the population.

• Density-independent factors, on the other hand, affect populations regardless of their size or density. These factors include environmental events like natural disasters (e.g., floods, earthquakes) and climate conditions. They exert the same effect on all individuals in a population, regardless of how dense the population is.