What is the main effect of limiting factors on a population?

Limiting factors play a crucial role in shaping the characteristics and dynamics of a population within an ecosystem. The main effect of these factors is to decrease the geographical distribution of a population. Limiting factors can include physical conditions such as temperature, water availability, and nutrient levels, as well as biological factors such as predation, competition, and disease.

When these factors are present in insufficient quantities or at adverse levels, they restrict the habitat where the species can thrive. This can lead to a reduced range where a population can successfully live, reproduce, and find resources. Consequently, the population may become concentrated in smaller, more suitable areas, making them more vulnerable to environmental changes and anthropogenic influences.

In contrast to the other options, which imply a neutral or positive effect on population characteristics, the principal function of limiting factors is the constraint they impose, ultimately shaping where species can feasibly exist and flourish in the natural world.