Biotic Factors:
* Competition: Species compete for resources like food, water, space, and mates. The more species compete for the same resources, the fewer individuals can survive.
* Predation: Predators can limit the populations of their prey species, affecting the number of species that can coexist.
* Parasitism: Parasites can weaken or kill their hosts, influencing the overall population size and diversity.
* Disease: Disease outbreaks can decimate populations, reducing the number of species present in a habitat.
* Mutualism: Although beneficial for both species involved, mutualistic relationships can be indirectly limiting if one species depends on the other for survival.
Abiotic Factors:
* Climate: Temperature, rainfall, and sunlight levels influence the types of plants and animals that can thrive in a habitat.
* Water availability: Water is essential for all life, and its abundance or scarcity can limit the number of species that can survive.
* Soil type: Different plants require different soil compositions and nutrients for growth, influencing the types of species that can inhabit a habitat.
* Nutrient availability: The amount of nutrients in the soil and water affects plant growth, which in turn influences the food web and the number of species that can be supported.
* Topography: Features like elevation, slope, and aspect can create diverse microclimates within a habitat, affecting the distribution of species.
Other Factors:
* Habitat size and fragmentation: Smaller and more fragmented habitats can support fewer species, as populations become isolated and prone to extinction.
* Species interactions: Complex interactions between species, such as competition, predation, and mutualism, can influence the number of species that can coexist.
* Evolutionary history: The evolutionary history of a region influences the species present and their interactions, ultimately contributing to the number of species that can survive.
It's important to note that these factors often interact and overlap, making it challenging to isolate the specific factor that limits species diversity. However, understanding these limitations is crucial for conserving biodiversity and ensuring the sustainability of ecosystems.