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(Redirected from Density dependent inhibition)
In population ecology, 'density-dependent inhibition' describes a situation in which population growth is curtailed by crowding. In cell biology, it describes the reduction in cell division. When a cell population reaches a certain density, the amount of required growth factors and nutrients available to each cell becomes insufficient to allow continued cell growth.
This is also true for other organisms because an increased density means an increase in intraspecific competition. Greater competition means an individual has a decreased contribution to the next generation i.e. offspring.
Density dependent mortality can be overcompensating, undercompensating or exactly compensating.
Density dependent fecundity also exists, where the birth rate falls as competition increases.
There also exists 'density-independent inhibition', where other factors such as weather and disturbances may affect a populations carrying capacity.