Which of the following factors is considered population-density independent?

Population-density independent factors are those that affect population size regardless of how many individuals are present in a given area. Weather is a prime example of such a factor, as it can significantly impact populations in various ways—such as through natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, or droughts—regardless of the population density. For instance, a severe drought may lead to water scarcity affecting all organisms in an area, whether the population is large or small.

In contrast, factors such as predation, competition, and resource availability typically depend on the density of the population. For example, the rate at which predators impact prey can increase with higher prey populations, while competition for resources becomes more intense as more individuals are vying for the same limited resources, making those factors density-dependent.