Question

how do the following affect wildlife populations: disease; predation; weather; and lack of food and/or water, cover, or space?
○ they prevent hunters from harvesting those populations
○ they endanger wildlife populations
○ they strengthen populations by weeding out the weak
○ they limit population growth

Explanation:

• Analyze each option:
• Option 1: The factors (disease, predation, etc.) are about wildlife population dynamics, not hunter harvesting prevention. Eliminate.
• Option 2: While they can endanger, the primary ecological role is population growth limitation (carrying capacity factors). Eliminate.
• Option 3: "Weeding out the weak" is not the main effect; these are density - dependent/independent limiting factors that restrict growth, not just strengthen. Eliminate.
• Option 4: Disease (increases mortality), predation (increases mortality), weather (can reduce survival/reproduction), lack of resources (reduces survival/reproduction) all act as limiting factors that control how large a wildlife population can grow.

Answer:

D. They limit population growth