BRAINCAKEDensity Dependent Factors
A density-dependent factor is one whose effect on a population depends on population density: the larger and more crowded the population, the greater the proportion of individuals affected. Most density-dependent factors are biotic (caused by living things).
Examples:
- Competition for food, water, space, light or mates: more individuals means less of the resource each.
- Predation: predators find prey more easily when prey are common.
- Disease and parasitism: pathogens and parasites spread faster between individuals living close together.
- Build-up of toxic waste in a confined space, for example in a culture of yeast.
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More in The Nature of Ecosystems
- Territory
- Parasitism and Disease
- Case Study: Snowshoe Hare and Lynx
- Case Study: Red Grouse and Parasites
- Density Independent Factors
- Competition
- Intraspecific Competition
- Interspecific Competition
All 39 lessons in The Nature of Ecosystems · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics