Theory 62/Population/Density regulation
Density Is Crowding Against Resource
The claim
Equilibrium population density is set by the ratio of crowding mortality to resource renewal, so a productive habitat sustains more individuals at the same crowding cost.
01Mechanism
Density rises until mortality from crowding matches recruitment supported by resources.
02Prediction
Density should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Density tracking resource alone would remove crowding.