Which of the following is a factor affecting population growth?

Resource availability is a critical factor affecting population growth because it directly determines the capacity of an environment to support individuals in a population. Resources such as food, water, shelter, and essential materials influence the health, survival, and reproductive success of organisms within an ecosystem. When resources are plentiful, populations can grow rapidly as individuals can thrive, reproduce, and rear offspring successfully. Conversely, scarcity of resources can limit population growth, leading to increased competition, malnutrition, and higher mortality rates.

While other factors like climate change, migratory patterns, and technological advancements can also influence population dynamics, they do so in ways that are often indirect or contingent on the availability of resources. For example, climate change can impact resource availability, altering habitats and food supplies, whereas migratory patterns may shift as a response to the search for better resources. Technological advancements can improve resource availability but do not determine it by themselves. Thus, resource availability stands out as a fundamental factor directly influencing population growth.