Identify two factors that could possibly cause a population to decline to extinction. How might these factors be influenced by population size?

One factor that can cause a population's decline is the loss of genetic diversity. Genetic diversity is essential for a population's long-term survival and the ability to adapt to changing environments. When a population shrinks, the gene pool becomes smaller, and inbreeding becomes more common, leading to a decline in genetic diversity.

Another factor that could lead to a population's decline is environmental changes like habitat loss, pollution, or climate change. Environmental changes can directly affect a population's survival chances by reducing the availability of resources or increasing competition for them. A smaller population may be less able to withstand these changes compared to a larger, more diverse population.

Population size plays a significant role in the loss of genetic diversity. Larger populations tend to have a higher degree of genetic diversity, allowing them to adapt to changing environments more successfully. In contrast, smaller populations experience genetic drift - the random loss of gene variants - and inbreeding, both of which lead to reduced genetic diversity. If genetic diversity continues to decline, it may lead to a population's extinction since they will be less able to adapt and withstand challenges such as environmental changes, diseases, and predation. A smaller population struggles to maintain a large gene pool and is more susceptible to the effects of genetic drift and inbreeding.

The population size also influences how a population can cope with environmental changes. Larger populations typically have a better chance of survival as they're able to occupy a broader range of habitats and exploit a wider variety of resources. Additionally, higher genetic diversity within a larger population provides a better chance of adapting to environmental changes. On the other hand, smaller populations may be restricted to specific habitats or resource availability, making them more vulnerable to environmental changes such as habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. If an environmental change occurs, a smaller population has fewer individuals to potentially carry traits allowing adaptation, thus increasing the likelihood of extinction. In summary, the loss of genetic diversity and environmental changes are two factors that could cause a population's decline and possible extinction. The population size significantly impacts these factors, with smaller populations being more vulnerable to the effects of genetic drift, inbreeding, and environmental changes.