Question

1. a massive flood displaces a population of deer from their habitat. the flood is an example of

a. a density - dependent limiting factor.
b. carrying capacity.
c. a density - independent limiting factor.
d. survivorship.

Explanation:

• Density - dependent limiting factors: Affect population size based on population density (e.g., competition for resources, predation).
• Carrying capacity: The maximum number of individuals an environment can support.
• Density - independent limiting factors: Affect population size regardless of population density (e.g., natural disasters like floods).
• Survivorship: Patterns of survival in a population over time.

Since a flood affects the deer population regardless of its density, it is a density - independent limiting factor.

Answer:

C. a density - independent limiting factor.