Limiting factors in a pond environment:
> Mineral ions are used up as population becomes larger
> Population becomes so large that the algae at the surface prevent light reaching those at deeper levels
> Other species are introduced into the pond, carried by animals / wind, and some may eat or compete with the algae.
> Winter months in which temperatures are lower and shorter duration of light intensity.
As a result growth of population slows / ceases - but likely to reach a relatively constant size.
Each population has a maximum size that can be sustained over a relatively long period - this is determined by abiotic & biotic factors.
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