Read each situations below. Then, state if it is a density-independent limiting factor ora density-dependent limiting factor. Then, state the specific limiting factor that is occurring. The first one is done for you as an example.

a. Mrs. Engelbrecht has 32 students assigned to her Biology class, but she only has room for 28. Because the room is so crowded, the extra 4 students leave the room to go to Guidance and have their schedules changed.
b. Northern pike (it's a fish) feed on another fish, the yellow perch. An increase in the yellow perch population causes an increase in the northern pike population.
c. The BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has harmed many aquatic organisms that live in the Gulf region.
d. A new strain of influenza (the flu) breaks out in New York City.
e. A population of rabbits and a population door are both feeding off the same plants in the same habitat.
f. Hurricane Katrina forced thousands of people to leave New Orleans.
g. 65 million years ago. a large asteroid collided With the Earth. As a result large amounts of ash were ejected into Earth's atmosphere.

Density-dependent limiting factors(DD)

It influences the per capita growth rate of a population separately as it relies on the population density. A decrease in per capita growth rate is due to an increase in population - negative feedback. E.g. Competition within the population, Predation, Disease and parasites and Waste accumulation. 

Density-independent limiting factors (DI)

It influence on per capita growth rate does not rely on the population density. E.g. natural disasters, wild fire, severe weather, and pollution. It promotes an erratic, swift change in population size., putting Small populations at risk of being endangered.

Specific limiting factors

Are factors that influences population either in a positive or negative way. It includes presence of food, water, shelter and space, competition for resources, predation and disease can also impact populations.

b. SCENARIO

Northern pike (it’s a fish) feed on another fish, the yellow perch. An increase in the yellow perch population causes an increase in the northern pike population.

DI or DD?

DD

Specific Limiting factor

Population of the yellow perch.

c. SCENARIO

The BP oil spill in the gulf of Mexico has harmed many aquatic organisms that live in the gulf region.

DI or DD?

DI

Specific Limiting factor

Introduction of a foreign substance.

d. SCENARIO

A new strain of influenza (the flu) breaks out in New York City.

DI or DD?

DD

Specific Limiting factor

The amount of people in New York City

e. SCENARIO

A population of rabbits and a population of deer are both feeding off the same plants in the same habitat.

DI or DD?

DD

Specific Limiting factor

The competition of the amount of rabbits and Deer

f. SCENARIO

Hurricane Katrina forced thousands of people to leave NewOrleans.

DI or DD?

DI

Specific Limiting factor

Hurricane Katrina

g. SCENARIO

Due to humans putting increasing amount of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and cutting down trees that would normally take up some of those gases, the Earth slowly gets warmer and changes climates around the globe. This affects the polar bear population.

DI or DD?

DI

Specific Limiting factor

The amount of humans.

from the original order (top to bottom) the new order will go

1 (founder)

4 (hawk)

2 (mutate)

3 (next generation)