North Carolina Hunter Safety Practice Test

The factors that can limit wildlife populations include diseases, predators, and old age because these elements directly influence the survival and reproduction rates of animals in a population. Each of these factors can lead to increased mortality and decreased reproductive success, which, over time, can significantly affect population dynamics.

Diseases can spread through populations, particularly in dense groups, leading to declines in numbers. Predators play a natural role in controlling prey species, ensuring that populations do not grow beyond the carrying capacity of their habitat. Additionally, old age naturally limits the lifespan of individuals, leading to eventual mortality. This combination of biological and ecological pressures contributes to keeping wildlife populations in balance within their ecosystems.

While habitat destruction, weather changes, and hunting regulations also play significant roles in wildlife management and conservation, the immediate impact on population dynamics is more profoundly felt through biological factors like diseases, predation, and age-related mortality. These factors are intrinsic to the life cycles of animals and can serve as natural regulatory mechanisms within ecosystems.