Environmental Studies

A Dictionary of Biology A Dictionary of Zoology A Dictionary of Plant Sciences A Dictionary of Ecology Further reading

limiting factor

A Dictionary of Biology | 2004 | Copyright

limiting factor Any environmental factor that – by its decrease, increase, absence, or presence – limits the growth, metabolic processes, or distribution of organisms or populations. In a desert ecosystem, for example, low rainfall and high temperature will be factors limiting colonization. When a metabolic process is affected by more than one factor, the law of limiting factors states that its rate is limited by the factor that is nearest its minimum value. For example, photosynthesis is affected by many factors, such as light, temperature, and carbon dioxide concentration, but on a warm sunny day carbon dioxide concentration will be the limiting factor as light and temperature will be at optimum levels.

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limiting factor

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

limiting factor (ecological factor) Any environmental condition or set of conditions that approaches most nearly the limits of tolerance (maximum or minimum) for a given organism. It was defined originally as the essential material that is available in an amount most closely approaching the critical minimum needed, but the term is now used more generally.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "limiting factor." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "limiting factor." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-limitingfactor.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "limiting factor." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-limitingfactor.html

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limiting factor

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences | 1998 | | Copyright

limiting factor (ecological factor) Defined originally as whichever essential material is available in an amount most closely approaching the critical minimum needed, but now used more generally to describe any environmental condition or set of conditions that approaches most nearly the limits (maximum or minimum) of tolerance for a given organism.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "limiting factor." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "limiting factor." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-limitingfactor.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "limiting factor." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-limitingfactor.html

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limiting factor

A Dictionary of Ecology | 2004 | | Copyright

limiting factor(ecological factor) Defined originally as whichever essential material is available in an amount most closely approaching the critical minimum needed, but now used more generally to describe any environmental condition or set of conditions that approaches most nearly the limits (maximum or minimum) of tolerance for a given organism.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "limiting factor." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "limiting factor." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-limitingfactor.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "limiting factor." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-limitingfactor.html

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