Question

classify the type of limiting factor described in each scenario. complete the table.
scenario | biotic or abiotic? | density dependent or independent?
as the number of trout in a lake increases, ospreys are able to catch more fish, increasing trout mortality. | |
a late frost destroys the flower buds of springbeauty plants. although the plants survive, they are unable to reproduce. | |
a bacterial respiratory disease spreads quickly through a crowded chicken coop. chickens in a sparsely populated coop remain healthy. | |

Explanation:

Scenario 1: Trout and Ospreys

Step 1: Biotic or Abiotic?

Biotic factors are living or once - living components of an ecosystem. Ospreys are living organisms, and their predation on trout is a biotic interaction. So this is a biotic factor.

Step 2: Density - dependent or Independent?

Density - dependent factors are those whose effects on a population change with the population density. As the number of trout (population density) increases, ospreys can catch more fish, increasing trout mortality. So the effect of osprey predation depends on the density of the trout population, making it density - dependent.

Scenario 2: Late Frost and Springbeauty Plants

Step 1: Biotic or Abiotic?

Abiotic factors are non - living components of an ecosystem. Frost is a non - living (weather - related) factor. So this is an abiotic factor.

Step 2: Density - dependent or Independent?

Density - independent factors affect populations regardless of their density. A late frost will destroy the flower buds of springbeauty plants no matter how many plants (what the density is) there are. So it is density - independent.

Scenario 3: Bacterial Disease in Chicken Coop

Step 1: Biotic or Abiotic?

Bacteria are living organisms, so a bacterial disease is a biotic factor.

Step 2: Density - dependent or Independent?

The spread of the bacterial disease is more rapid in a crowded (high - density) chicken coop and less of a problem in a sparsely populated (low - density) coop. This means the effect of the disease depends on the population density of the chickens, so it is density - dependent.

Answer:

Scenario	Biotic or abiotic?	Density dependent or independent?
A late frost destroys the flower buds of springbeauty plants. Although the plants survive, they are unable to reproduce.	Abiotic	Density - independent
A bacterial respiratory disease spreads quickly through a crowded chicken coop. Chickens in a sparsely populated coop remain healthy.	Biotic	Density - dependent