Dr. Richards
- Populations
Populations may display short-term fluctuations due to density-independent factors. The population of Dungeness crabs fluctuates due to density-dependent factors like intraspecific competition and cannibalism and density-independent factors like changes in water temperature due to ocean currents.
Dr. Richards
- Populations
The populations of many short-lived animals, or those living in variable environments, go through a period of exponential growth, followed by a sudden crash (boom and burst curve). The crash occurs before the population reaches the carrying capacity; it is due to a density-independent limitation such as weather or other physical environmental factors.
