All of the following are density independent factors that affect a population EXCEPT:

All of the following are density independent factors that affect a population EXCEPT:

• A. Temperature
• B. Rainfall
• C. Soil
• D. Nutrients

Answer: (C)

Density-independent factors are environmental factors that impact a population regardless of its density. These factors can include abiotic elements such as temperature and precipitation. Temperature influences the survival, reproduction, and distribution of organisms as it affects biological processes. Similarly, rainfall can significantly influence water availability for plants and animals, leading to changes in population dynamics. Soil quality, including its nutrient content, is necessary for plant growth but can be considered more of a resource availability factor. Nutrients are typically associated with density-dependent factors, as they can become limiting when a population grows larger, leading to competition among individuals for those resources. Therefore, the correct answer to the question relies on understanding that soil quality and nutrient availability directly relate to population density effects, distinguishing them from temperature and rainfall.

Density-independent factors are environmental factors that impact a population regardless of its density. These factors can include abiotic elements such as temperature and precipitation.

Temperature influences the survival, reproduction, and distribution of organisms as it affects biological processes. Similarly, rainfall can significantly influence water availability for plants and animals, leading to changes in population dynamics.

Soil quality, including its nutrient content, is necessary for plant growth but can be considered more of a resource availability factor. Nutrients are typically associated with density-dependent factors, as they can become limiting when a population grows larger, leading to competition among individuals for those resources.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question relies on understanding that soil quality and nutrient availability directly relate to population density effects, distinguishing them from temperature and rainfall.