Which factors can limit exponential growth in a population?

Exponential growth in a population occurs under ideal conditions, where resources are abundant, and environmental pressures are minimal. However, several factors can impose limitations on this type of growth, leading to a stabilization of population size. Among the options, the factors that stand out as significant limiters are predators, rainfall, and sunlight.

Predators directly influence population dynamics by increasing mortality rates among prey species. When a population grows too large, it may attract more predators, which ultimately helps to control the population size and prevent it from exceeding the carrying capacity of the environment.

Rainfall is essential for the survival of many species, particularly those dependent on water for drinking or for their habitat. A lack of adequate rainfall can lead to drought conditions, which can limit food availability and lead to increased competition among individuals, also affecting reproduction and overall survival rates.

Sunlight is crucial for photosynthetic organisms and, indirectly, for the entire food web. Insufficient sunlight can limit plant growth, reducing the availability of food for herbivores, and subsequently affecting the populations of higher consumers in the ecosystem.

In contrast, factors like migration and reproduction, growth rate and season length, and social behavior and genetics typically relate more to the dynamics and characteristics of populations rather than direct limits on their