Question

white - tailed deer are affected by the limiting factors listed below. for each factor label whether it is density dependent or density independent. a. a harsh winter causes the deer to die off from cold temperatures. b. the population of deer grows larger in the spring and there is more competition for food. c. the highly contagious chronic wasting disease has decreased the deer population over the last 5 years. d. a wildfire destroys much of the forest, reducing the deers available habitat.

Explanation:

Density - dependent factors are related to population density, like competition for resources and disease spread. Density - independent factors affect populations regardless of density, such as weather and natural disasters.

• a. Harsh winter is a weather - related event, not influenced by deer population density, so it's density - independent.
• b. Population growth causing more competition for food is density - dependent as it depends on the number of deer.
• c. A contagious disease spreading among deer is density - dependent since higher population density can facilitate its spread.
• d. A wildfire destroying habitat is a natural disaster not related to deer population density, so it's density - independent.

Answer:

a. Density - independent
b. Density - dependent
c. Density - dependent
d. Density - independent