8.4 Effect of Density of Populations

Density-dependent factors intensify as population grows: competition, predation, disease, waste buildup, parasitism. They regulate populations around K.

Density-independent factors affect populations regardless of size: natural disasters, fires, temperature extremes, droughts.

Ask: does the effect get worse as crowding increases? Yes → density-dependent.

Worked example: A disease spreads faster in crowded deer herds. Type? → Density-dependent.