Question

Give an account of population regulation.

Answer 1

The inherent tendency of all animal populations is to increase in number. But it does not increase indefinitely. Once the carrying capacity of the environment is reached, population numbers remain static or fluctuate depending on environmental conditions.

This is regulated by many factors which are

• Density independent - Extrinsic factors
• Density dependent - Intrinsic factors

Extrinsic factors include availability of space, shelter, weather and food, etc. Intrinsic factors include competition, predation, emigration, immigration and diseases.