Density-independent factor | Biology, Definition, & Examples (2024)

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Density-independent factor | Biology, Definition, & Examples (1)

forest fire

Also called:
limiting factor
Related Topics:
population

density-independent factor, in ecology, any force that affects the size of a population of living things regardless of the density of the population (the number of individuals per unit area). Density-independent factors often arise from physical and chemical (rather than biological) phenomena.

Such factors stemming from weather and climate—as well as flooding, wildfires, landslides, and other disasters—affect a population of living things whether individuals are clustered close together or spaced far apart. For example, for most organisms that breathe oxygen, oxygen availability is a density-independent factor; if oxygen concentrations decline or breathable oxygen is suddenly made unavailable, such as when oxygen-using plants are covered by rising floodwaters, those organisms perish and populations of the various affected plant species decline.

The dynamics of most populations of living things are influenced by a combination of density-independent factors and density-dependent factors (that is, those factors that emerge when the concentrations of individuals in a population rise above a certain level). The relative importance of these factors varies among species and populations.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.

Density-independent factor | Biology, Definition, & Examples (2024)

FAQs

Density-independent factor | Biology, Definition, & Examples? ›

While the previously mentioned density-dependant factors are often biotic, density-independent factors are often abiotic. These density-independent factors include food or nutrient limitation, pollutants in the environment, and climate extremes, including seasonal cycles such as monsoons.

Is sunlight a density-independent factor? ›

Answer: There are several density dependent factors. Besides those, density independent factors in the rainforest are sunlight and water.

What is a density independent factor quizlet? ›

density- independent. any factor limiting the size of a population whose effect is not dependent on the number of individuals in the population. An example of such a factor is an earthquake, which will kill all members of the population regardless of whether the population is small or large. habitat.

Why is drought a density-independent limiting factor? ›

Density-Independent Limiting Factors

A severe drought, for example, can kill off great numbers of fish in a river. In response to such factors, a population may “crash.” After the crash, the population may build up again quickly, or it may stay low for some time.

What is an example of a population density? ›

Population density is the average number of individuals in a population per unit of area or volume. For example, a population of 100 insects that live in an area of 100 squar e meter s has a density of 1 insect per square meter.

What are 5 examples of density-independent factors? ›

Factors like storms, droughts, floods, earthquakes, human activity, and other disasters may happen to an ecosystem and can cause the deaths of organisms irrespective of their population density.

What is the definition of density independent? ›

density-independent factor, in ecology, any force that affects the size of a population of living things regardless of the density of the population (the number of individuals per unit area). Density-independent factors often arise from physical and chemical (rather than biological) phenomena.

Which of the following would be an example of a density-independent factor? ›

Density-independent limiting factors often take the form of natural disasters, severe weather, and pollution.

Is a hurricane a density-independent factor? ›

Other density-independent factors include hurricanes, pollutants, and seasonal climate extremes. Density-dependent limiting factors tend to be biotic—having to do with living organisms. Competition and predation are two important examples of density-dependent factors.

Is deforestation a density-independent factor? ›

Deforestation: Density- Independent Factor

This is a major problem because then we have less oxygen to breathe because it wouldn't be being produced by the tree's leaves.

Is flooding a density-independent factor? ›

Density Independent Factors Examples

Climate and weather events are density independent limiting factors. Events like seasonal temperature changes, hurricanes, droughts, and floods can disrupt resource availability, migration patterns, shelter and so much more.

Is weather density-dependent or independent? ›

Density-independent factors are not influenced by a species population size. All species populations in the same ecosystem will be similarly affected, regardless of population size. Factors include: weather, climate and natural disasters.

Is global warming a density-dependent or independent factor? ›

Flexi Says: Climate change is considered a density-independent factor because its effects are not directly related to the population density of a species. It impacts populations regardless of their size or density.

What are examples of population density dependent factors? ›

Density-dependent factors: competition, predation, parasitism, and disease.

What three factors can affect population size? ›

What factors influence population growth? There are three factors that influence population change: birth rate, death rate, and migration. Though one or two of these factors can influence a population in a particular area, all three impact population change.

What do limiting factors do? ›

A limiting factor is anything that constrains a population's size and slows or stops it from growing. Some examples of limiting factors are biotic, like food, mates, and competition with other organisms for resources.

Which is not a density independent factor? ›

Generally natural calamities, climate changes, and environmental stresses are the factors of density-independent factors. The predation belongs to the density-dependent factor because it does not occur via climatic changes. Therefore, the correct answer is C.) predation.

What are the 4 density-dependent factors? ›

Most density-dependent factors, which are biological in nature (biotic), include predation, inter- and intraspecific competition, accumulation of waste, and diseases such as those caused by parasites. Usually, the denser a population is, the greater its mortality rate.

Are resources a density-independent factor? ›

Density independent factors include climate change: drought, fires, hurricanes. Density dependent factors include disease (COVID19), competition for resources (wars) such as energy, food, water, space, shelter.

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