Answer:
The density- independent limiting factors that can affect a population include food, predation, toxic waste and environmental disasters.
Explanation:
Density independent factors like <u>natural calamities which include volcanic eruptions, hurricane, floods, earthquake</u>, etc are not influenced by population density change. For example, the current rampaging bush fire in Australia has caused a lot of damage to different animal and plant species. Many populations of species have become endangered and others are wiped off.
The quality of nutrients available in an environment affect the growth of organisms in it. The lower the quality of nutrients, the higher is the environmental stress. E.g in <em>Lake Erie</em>, the growth of algae was restricted due to the extensive presence of phosphorus in the water bodies.
Pollution is also a big reason for decrease in the density of populations. E.g Amphibians such as toad, frog are susceptible to pesticides which flow into the water bodies. It reduces their ability to <em>reproduce</em> and inhibits their growth.
When the number of predators in a given area increase, the population of <em>prey decreases</em>. Extensive predation can lead to the extinction of prey species.
