Compare and contrast density-dependent growth regulation with density-independent growth regulation. Give an example of each as they might affect a caterpillar population.
a. Both are environmental conditions that result in changes in population numbers. Density-independent factors have different effects on population densities whereas density-dependent factors have the same effect. An example of the former is a caterpillar population being kept low by a pesticide because it kills them regardless of their numbers. In the case of the latter, a large caterpillar population leads to a decrease in food availability, which will cause the caterpillar population to decline.
b. Both are environmental conditions that result in changes in population numbers. Density-independent factors have the same effect at all population densities whereas density-dependent factors have different effects. An example of the former is of a caterpillar population being kept low by a pesticide because it kills them regardless of their numbers. In the case of the latter, a large caterpillar population leads to a decrease in food availability, which will cause the caterpillar population to decline.
c. Both are environmental conditions that result in changes in population numbers. Density-independent factors have the same effect at all population densities whereas density-dependent factors have different effects. An example of the former is of a caterpillar population being kept low by a pesticide because it kills them when their numbers are low. In the case of the latter, a large caterpillar population leads to a decrease in food availability, which will cause the caterpillar population to decline.
d. Both are environmental conditions that result in changes in population numbers. Density-independent factors have the same effect at all population densities whereas density-dependent factors have different effects. An example of the former is of a caterpillar population being kept low by a pesticide because it kills them regardless of their numbers. In the case of the latter, a large caterpillar population leads to a decrease in food availability, which will cause the caterpillar population to increase.