Question

Which of the following would most likely have a density INDEPENDENT effect on a population?

A) Number of predators
B) Emigration of a large number of individuals to a new area
C) A new highly lethal contagious disease
D) A hurricane that destroys much of the habitat

Answer 1

A hurricane that destroys much of the habitat is the most likely event to have a density independent effect on a population, as it impacts the population regardless of its size.

Step-by-step explanation:

The event most likely to have a density independent effect on a population is a hurricane that destroys much of the habitat. Unlike density-dependent factors which change in intensity according to a population's density, density-independent factors have the same impact regardless of population size. A hurricane is an environmental event that can cause widespread destruction and mortality in a population no matter its density, just as a pesticide can drastically affect a caterpillar population irrespective of its numbers. In contrast, factors like predation, competition for resources, or the spread of a contagious disease are typically density-dependent because they are influenced by the number of individuals in a given area.