SSC MTS EXAM

Detailed explanation-1: -If a population reaches its carrying capacity, it must either increase its carrying capacity or stop growing. One way a population can increase its carrying capacity is by expanding into new niches. Limiting factors are biotic or abiotic environmental conditions that limit population growth in an ecosystem.

Detailed explanation-2: -So the correct answer is option D. Limiting factors can influence the number of organisms in a population once it reaches its carrying capacity.

Detailed explanation-3: -As population size approaches the carrying capacity of the environment, the intensity of density-dependent factors increases. For example, competition for resources, predation, and rates of infection increase with population density and can eventually limit population size.