Scientists observed the population growth of a rabbit species in the field. The rabbit population grew rapidly at the beginning when resources were limited. However, the growth eventually slowed down due to resources become more limited. The rabbit population reached to a maximum population at the end. Which population model do you think would best describe its current growth? Answer: __ population growth model Which of the following is categorized as density-independent factor? (Check all that apply) Multiple answers. You can select more than one option O A Hurricane OB Space availability O C Food resources O D Drought O E Volcano eruption O F Severe storms

Solution:

The rabbit population grew rapidly at the beginning but the growth eventually slowed down due to limited resources. At the end, the rabbit population reached its maximum. The population model that best describes its current growth is logistic growth model.

In this model, the growth of a population is dependent on the availability of the resources to certain extent and the population shows exponential growth when resources are available but as the carrying capacity of the population is reached, the growth slows down as the resources become limited. The population reaches to its maximum at the end and there is no further growth.

Density independent factor may be defined as any factor that influences the growth rate of a population and this effect is irregular and not dependent on the population density. The density independent factors listed below are:

A. Hurricane

D. Drought

E. Volcano eruption

F. Severe storm.

The factors such as space availability and food resources are density dependent factors and these factors directly affect the growth of a population as they depend on the density of the population.

The bacterial population showed a rapid growth due to unlimited resources. The population model that best describes its current growth is exponential growth model.

In this model, the population increases exponentially over time and here availability of resources is not a limiting factor.