Limiting Factors for a Population of Squirrels in a Local Park
What could limit the growth of a population of squirrels in a local park?
Which of the following could limit the growth of a population of squirrels in a local park?
A. Increase in the number of trees preferred by the squirrels for nests
B. A decrease in the number of hawks, which prey on squirrels
C. Heavy rain causing an increase in acorns that the squirrels eat
D. An outbreak of a disease that infects squirrels in the park
Answer: D
An outbreak of a disease that infects squirrels in the park could limit the growth of a population of squirrels in a local park. As the disease spreads and more squirrels become sick or die, the population growth rate will decline and may even become negative, leading to a decrease in the overall population size.
To know more about infectious diseases, it is important to understand what an infectious disease is. An infectious disease is a type of illness that is caused by a pathogen, such as a virus, bacterium, fungus, or parasite. These pathogens can enter the body and cause harm by multiplying and damaging the host's tissues.
Infectious diseases can spread from person to person, through contact with contaminated surfaces, via airborne particles, or through the bite of an infected animal. Some examples of infectious diseases include influenza, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and COVID-19.
When an infectious disease spreads in a population, it can weaken or kill members of that population, thus decreasing the overall population size. The spread of the disease may be more rapid and widespread in populations that are densely packed, such as the population of squirrels in a local park.