Abiotic factors that might limit the population of whooping cranes include:
- Temperature extremes: Very low or very high temperatures can negatively affect crane survival and reproduction.
- Water availability: Since whooping cranes nest and feed in wetlands, insufficient water or drought conditions can reduce suitable habitat and food supply.
- Food supply: Limited availability of food sources due to abiotic conditions can decrease population size.
- Sunlight: Lack of sufficient sunlight can impact the growth of plants and aquatic organisms that cranes depend on for food.
- Habitat space: Limited wetland or marsh habitat can lead to overcrowding and competition for resources.
- Other environmental factors such as heavy precipitation, flooding, drought, salinity, and storms along migration routes and wintering grounds can also affect survival and reproduction.
These factors influence the cranes at breeding grounds, migration stopovers, and wintering areas, affecting mortality and fecundity rates
