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In a large forest with many animals, there are only a small number of apex predator bears. Which biotic factor limits the population of bears in the forest?

User Simon Duff
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Answer:

According to a research paper by University of Minnesota, black bear habitat limits black bear populations, especially through the influences of shelter, food supply and social tolerances or territoriality of the animal. Shelter or cover is a prime factor. Black bears need cover for feeding, hiding, bedding, traveling, raising cubs and denning. With limits of space, adult bears will kill young bears or run them out of the area. These young bears must keep moving around until they die or find an area vacated by an adult1.

In general, density-dependent limiting factors tend to be biotic —living organism-related—as opposed to physical features of the environment. Some common examples of density-dependent limiting factors include competition within the population. When a population reaches a high density, there are more individuals trying to use the same quantity of resources..

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User Chip Uni
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