Which of the following statements is true regarding population dynamics?

The statement that density-dependent factors can stabilize populations at carrying capacity is accurate because these factors operate based on the population's size and density. As a population becomes denser, resources such as food, space, and nutrients may become limited, leading to increased competition among individuals. This competition can result in a decrease in growth rates and an increase in mortality rates, effectively regulating the population size. Consequently, as the population approaches its carrying capacity—the maximum number of individuals that an environment can sustainably support—density-dependent factors help prevent overshooting that limit, leading to stabilization around that capacity.

This concept illustrates the dynamic balance within ecosystems, where resource limitations and the interactions among individuals play a crucial role in maintaining population levels. In contrast, during times of lower density, such as when a population is far from its carrying capacity, growth rates can increase due to more available resources, which again highlights the influence of density-dependent factors on population dynamics.