A population of 100 butterflies living on an acre of land loses three-quarters of its members when a sudden freeze in the spring occurs just after they emerge as caterpillars. This population has undergone a reduction in population size due to

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The sudden freeze in the spring is a density-independent factor, meaning that it affects the population regardless of its size or density. The reduction in population size is not due to intrinsic (internal) factors, density-dependent factors (such as competition or disease), natural selection, or opportunistic control.

A Population of 100 Butterflies Living on an Acre of Land