Final answer:
A global pandemic that diminishes population growth is a density-dependent limiting factor because its impact worsens as population density increases, contrasting with density-independent factors that affect populations uniformly.
Step-by-step explanation:
A global pandemic that reduces human population growth is an example of a density-dependent limiting factor. The impact of the pandemic is linked to the population density; as the population density increases, the transmission rate of the disease can increase, making the pandemic worse. This contrasts with density-independent factors, which have the same impact regardless of population density. Density-dependent factors often lead to a decrease in population size as the resources become scarce or as disease and predation rates increase in response to higher population densities.
Density-dependent Regulation
Wildlife biologists and ecologists study these factors to understand and manage population dynamics to prevent extinction or overpopulation. With density-dependent regulation, the population growth slows as the population size nears the carrying capacity. This form of regulation tends to keep populations at a size that is sustainable by their environment's resources.