Limiting Factors Background Information What is a Limiting
Limiting Factors Background Information
What is a Limiting Factor? Limiting Factors are… (two similar definitions) conditions of the environment that limit the growth of a species. biotic and abiotic factors that prevent the continuous growth of a population.
What is a Limiting Factor? Populations would continue to increase if they had all of the resources they require in unlimited amounts, but there always factors that limit their increase. Limiting factors control population growth.
Let’s list some Limiting Factors!
Limiting factors: Availability of food, water, living space (habitat), mates, nesting sites, and other resources.
What is Carrying Capacity? Because of these limiting factors, each ecosystem has a capacity for growth connected to its carrying capacity.
What is Carrying Capacity? Carrying capacity is the number of individuals of a species that an ecosystem can support.
What would happen if there weren’t limiting factors? Exponential growth of populations- this means populations if not stopped will grow and never reach carrying capacity.
In the real world If new species are introduced to an environment they will grow exponentially for a while, but will reach the carrying capacity of the ecosystem. Carrying capacity has been reached.
In the real world When Carrying Capacity is reached birth rates and death rates balance out. There as many organisms in a species being born as there are dying.
In the real world continued… When the population is nearing carrying capacity the competition among the species for resources increases. Ex: Human population. Crowed living spaces (apartment buildings) Traffic jams When individuals live close together disease spreads easier.
Good or Bad? Knowing what you know about limiting factors take a moment to write in your Science Journal whether you believe limiting factors are a good thing for ecosystems or a bad thing?
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