Density-independent factors influence population growth rates without regard to the density of the population. Examples of these factors include fire, drought, and earthquakes.

Density-dependent factors influence population growth rates more or less strongly based on the density of the population, resulting in feedback. Examples of these factors include disease, food, and predators.

Question

Density-independent factors influence population growth rates without regard to the density of the population. Examples of these factors include fire, drought, and earthquakes.

Density-dependent factors influence population growth rates more or less strongly based on the density of the population, resulting in feedback. Examples of these factors include disease, food, and predators.

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question presents two statements and asks you to categorize them as either density-independent or density-dependent.

Option 1: Density-independent
The statement lists fire, drought, and earthquakes as factors that influence population growth rates without regard to population density. This aligns with the standard definition of density-independent factors, which affect populations regardless of how many individuals are present. These events or processes do not change in intensity based on how crowded a population is, so their impact is not modulated by density.

Option 2: Density-dependent
The statement identifies disease, food, and predators as factors whose influence on population growth rates changes with population density. This matches the concept of density-dependent factors, where effects typically intensify as density rises (e.g., more disease transmission in crowded populations, more competition for limited food, and increased predator pressure when more prey are available or when populations cluster). Such factors create feedback loops that regulate population size as density varies.

In summary, the first described category corresponds to density-independent effects, while the second corresponds to density-dependent effects. The distinctions hinge on whether the factor’s impact is constant across densities (independent) or scales with how many individuals are present (dependent).

Biol 1106 Rosenzweig Sp2025 CRN's11552 & 11553 Lesson 20 Homework Problems

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