Populations rarely grow smoothly up to the carrying capacity and then remain there. Instead, fluctuations in population numbers, abundance, or density from one time step to the next are the norm. Which processes are responsible for the fluctuations of population density within the community?

Explanation

To understand the fluctuations in population density within a community, we need to consider several key processes that influence population dynamics. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of these processes:

### Step 1: Natality (Birth Rate)
- **Explanation**: Natality refers to the birth rate of a population. It is the number of individuals born in a given time period. An increase in natality will lead to a rise in population density.

### Step 2: Mortality (Death Rate)
- **Explanation**: Mortality is the rate of death within a population. It indicates how many individuals die in a specific time frame. An increase in mortality will decrease population density.

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