Final answer:
Population growth is influenced by density-dependent factors, which have a greater effect on larger populations, and density-independent factors, which affect populations regardless of size. Examples include limited food supply and disease for the former, and weather conditions for the latter.
Step-by-step explanation:
Population growth can be influenced by both density-dependent and density-independent factors. Density-dependent factors include elements such as food supply and disease, which have a greater effect on a larger population. For instance, as a caterpillar population grows, food may become scarce, leading to a decline in the population due to increased competition. In contrast, density-independent factors such as freezing weather or fire affect populations regardless of their size, meaning their effect is not different on a large or small population. These factors cause changes in populations through mechanisms like habitat destruction or extreme temperatures, which can be lethal to the species regardless of how many individuals are present.
In real-world scenarios, these factors can interact in complex ways. A dense population experiencing a density-independent reduction through an environmental factor may recover at a different rate than a sparser population. For example, deer populations affected by harsh winters may bounce back more quickly if a significant number of deer survive to reproduce.