Ecosystems Limiting Factors Limiting Factors l A limiting

Ecosystems Limiting Factors

Limiting Factors l A limiting factor is an abiotic or biotic factor that restricts the number of individuals in a population.

Carrying Capacity l Carrying capacity is the number of individuals of a species that an ecosystem can support l Limiting factors determine carrying capacity.

Limiting Factors l 1. Limiting factors can include: Competitors

Limiting Factors l 1. 2. Limiting factors can include: Competitors Disease and parasites

Limiting Factors l 1. 2. 3. Limiting factors can include: Competitors Disease and parasites Weather

Limiting Factors l 1. 2. 3. 4. Limiting factors can include: Competitors Disease and parasites Weather Fires

Limiting Factors l 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Limiting factors can include: Competitors Disease and parasites Weather Fires Available habitat

Limiting Factors l 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Limiting factors can include: Competitors Disease and parasites Weather Fires Available habitat Predators

Competitors-organisms both cooperate and compete • Birds of prey • Live in forests on the edge of fields • Eat mice and other rodents • Nest in trees Red-Tailed Hawk Barred Owl

Disease and Parasites l Diseases and parasites can be dependent on population size and habitat

Weather l. Storms l. Drought l. Flooding l. Heat/cold

Fires lead to succession which is a predictable change in the community over time.

Available Habitat l Human activities play a large role l Development, damming rivers, clear cutting forests.

Predators l Predator-prey relationship can be a delicate balance between the two populations.

Predators l As the prey population increases, the predator population increases. As the prey population decreases, then so does the predator population.

Example: Lynx and Hare: