EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -density-independent factor, also called limiting 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).

Detailed explanation-2: -These density-independent factors include food or nutrient limitation, pollutants in the environment, and climate extremes, including seasonal cycles such as monsoons. In addition, catastrophic factors can also impact population growth, such as fires and hurricanes.

Detailed explanation-3: -Density-dependent limiting factors include competition, predation, herbivory, parasitism and disease, and stress from overcrowding.

Detailed explanation-4: -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.

Detailed explanation-5: -Density-dependent regulation can be affected by factors that affect birth and death rates such as competition and predation. Density-independent regulation can be affected by factors that affect birth and death rates such as abiotic factors and environmental factors, i.e. severe weather and conditions such as fire.