Question

living space
space is another limiting factor for populations. seagulls, for example, come to nest
on rocky shores. but the nesting shores get very crowded. if a pair does not find
room to nest, they will not be able to add any offspring to the seagull population. so
nesting space on the shore is a limiting factor for seagulls. if there were more nesting
space, more seagulls would be able to nest, and the population would increase.
space is also a limiting factor for plants. the amount of space in which a plant grows determines whether
the plant can get the sunlight, water, and soil nutrients it needs. for example, many small plants sprout
each year in a forest. but as they grow, the roots of those that are too close together run out of space and
some of the plants will die. branches from other trees may block the sunlight the small plants need.

1. how is space a limiting factor for seagulls?

1. what are two ways in which space is a limiting factor for plants?

weather and random events
weather conditions such as temperature and the amount of rainfall can also limit
population growth. a cold front that comes in late spring can kill the offspring of many
species of organisms, including plants, birds and mammals. a hurricane or flood can
wash away turtle nests and groundhog burrows. these factors are density - independent factors because
they are not affected by population size.

1. how might a sudden cold front limit population growth of newborn offspring?

1. would weather conditions be considered an abiotic factor? why or why not?

1. summarize

Explanation:

1. The text states that seagulls come to nest on rocky shores which get crowded. If a pair doesn't find nesting space, they can't add offspring. So, lack of nesting space limits seagull population growth.
2. For plants, space affects access to sunlight, water, and soil nutrients. When plants are too close, roots run out of space (competition for resources) and branches from other trees may block sunlight.
3. A cold front in late spring can kill the offspring of many species (including newborns), reducing the number of individuals added to the population, thus limiting population growth.
4. Weather conditions (like temperature, rainfall) are abiotic (non - living) factors as they are physical or chemical components of the environment (not living organisms) that can limit population growth.

Answer:

1. If seagulls don't find nesting space, they can't add offspring, limiting population growth.
2. - Roots of close - growing plants run out of space (competition for resources). - Branches block sunlight for small plants.
3. It can kill newborn offspring, reducing the number added to the population.
4. Yes, because weather (e.g., temperature, rainfall) is a non - living (abiotic) part of the environment that limits populations.