Identify two factors that could possibly cause a population to decline to extinction. How might population size influence the impact of these factors?

Two factors that could possibly cause a population to decline to extinction are: 1. Environmental catastrophes: Natural disasters such as floods, volcanic eruptions, and hurricanes can destroy habitats and cause the death of a large number of individuals in a population. 2. Over-exploitation: Human activities, such as over-hunting, over-fishing, or habitat destruction, can lead to a significant reduction in the number of individuals in a population, making it more vulnerable to extinction.

The impact of environmental catastrophes on a population and its potential extinction largely depends on the size of the population. When a population is large, it has a higher chance of recovering from the loss of individuals caused by an environmental catastrophe. This is because, with more individuals available to reproduce, the population can recover more quickly, and genetic diversity will be less affected. On the other hand, if the population is small, the loss of individuals due to an environmental catastrophe can be devastating. With fewer individuals available to reproduce, the population might not recover, genetic diversity will be more affected, increasing the risk of extinction.

The impact of over-exploitation on a population's risk of extinction also depends on its size. Larger populations can better withstand the pressure of over-exploitation since they have more individuals that can reproduce and replace the lost individuals. However, as the population size decreases due to over-exploitation, the risk of extinction increases. Smaller populations have fewer individuals that can reproduce and are more vulnerable to the impacts of over-exploitation. Moreover, as the population becomes smaller, genetic diversity may be lost, further increasing the likelihood of extinction. By understanding the relationship between population size and the impact of factors like environmental catastrophes and over-exploitation, we can better predict and prevent extinction events in vulnerable species and conserve biodiversity.