Without these essential components, animals cannot survive. Wildlife populations are not static. They continuously fluctuate in response to a variety of stimulating and limiting factors. We tend to speak of limiting hetors as applying to a single species, although one factor may affect many species. Natural limiting factors, or those modeled after factors in natural systems, tend to maintain populations of species at levels within predictable ranges.
Some species fluctuate or cycle annually.
This cycle appears to be almost totally controlled by the habitat components of food, water, shelter and space, which are also limiting factors. Habitat components are the most fundamental and thereby the most critical of limiting factors in most natural settings. The major purpose of this activity is for students to understand the importance of suitable habitat as well as factors that may affect wildlife populations in constantly changing ecosystems. Begin by telling students that they are about to participate in an activity that emphasizes the most essential things that animals need in order to survive. Ask your students to count off in fours.