Factors that limit the number of individuals the environment can support
1. Availability of food and water: A limited supply of food and water can restrict the number of individuals that can be supported in an environment. Lack of sufficient food and water can lead to competition among individuals, which can limit the population size.
2. Space: The physical space available in an environment can also limit the number of individuals that can be supported. Overcrowding can lead to increased competition for resources and may result in decreased reproductive success and increased stress on the population.
3. Predation: The presence of predators can limit the population size of a species by reducing the number of individuals that survive to reproduce. Predation can be a significant factor in regulating population size in ecosystems.
4. Disease: Diseases can spread quickly in dense populations, causing high mortality rates and limiting the overall number of individuals that can be supported in an environment.
5. Natural disasters: Events such as fires, floods, droughts, and hurricanes can have significant impacts on populations, reducing the number of individuals that can be supported in an environment.
6. Climate change: Changes in climate can alter the availability of resources and habitats, as well as impact the timing of seasonal events such as migration and breeding. These changes can limit the number of individuals that can survive and reproduce in an environment.