LIMITING FACTOR NOTES

HABITAT Habitat - type of environment in which a particular species lives Habitat - type of environment in which a particular species lives 4 Components of a Habitat: 4 Components of a Habitat: Water Water Food Food Shelter Shelter Space Space

Survival of Species A species’ long-term survival is possible only if organisms can adapt to changes (in available resources and their environment) and reproduce A species’ long-term survival is possible only if organisms can adapt to changes (in available resources and their environment) and reproduce If an entire species is unable to respond to changes, it could face extinction If an entire species is unable to respond to changes, it could face extinction Extinct species – no living organism of the species exists Extinct species – no living organism of the species exists Endangered species – small population of the species exists with an increased threat of extinction Endangered species – small population of the species exists with an increased threat of extinction

Limiting Factors Biotic potential – a population’s growth rate under ideal conditions Biotic potential – a population’s growth rate under ideal conditions Limiting Factor - any biotic or abiotic factor in an environment that limits the size of a population Limiting Factor - any biotic or abiotic factor in an environment that limits the size of a population Examples: Food, disease, predators Examples: Food, disease, predators

TYPES OF LIMITING FACTORS Density-dependent limiting factors – factors that become limiting only when the number of organisms per unit space reaches a certain level Density-dependent limiting factors – factors that become limiting only when the number of organisms per unit space reaches a certain level Ex. Space, disease, competition and predation Ex. Space, disease, competition and predation Density-independent limiting factors – factors that affect all populations in the same way, regardless of their density Density-independent limiting factors – factors that affect all populations in the same way, regardless of their density Ex. Weather, seasonal cycles, natural disasters and human activities Ex. Weather, seasonal cycles, natural disasters and human activities

CARRYING CAPACITY Carrying Capacity the maximum population size that a particular environment can support over time; controlled by limiting factors Carrying Capacity the maximum population size that a particular environment can support over time; controlled by limiting factors

Ecosystem Stability Changes in the environment, caused by nature or humans, can affect the stability of an ecosystem in positive or negative ways Changes in the environment, caused by nature or humans, can affect the stability of an ecosystem in positive or negative ways Example: A volcanic eruption kills a community’s populations of organisms – the area’s ecosystem is destroyed Example: A volcanic eruption kills a community’s populations of organisms – the area’s ecosystem is destroyed Example: leaking septic systems release sewage into a river, causing weed and algae growth, which reduces the fish populations – humans repair the leaks and ecosystem recovers Example: leaking septic systems release sewage into a river, causing weed and algae growth, which reduces the fish populations – humans repair the leaks and ecosystem recovers