What factors are considered natural controls that help reduce pest populations?

Natural controls that help reduce pest populations include a variety of environmental and ecological factors. The correct choice highlights "Normally Occurring Factors," which encompass a wide range of elements such as climatic conditions, soil health, and the availability of water that can inherently limit pest populations. These factors are part of the ecosystem and contribute to the natural balance between pest species and their predators or environmental conditions that can suppress pest outbreaks.

For example, changes in temperature or humidity can impact pest survival and reproduction rates. Similarly, the presence of compatible crops or plants can create unfavorable conditions for pests, either by providing habitats for their natural enemies or by directly affecting their lifecycle. Being naturally occurring means they work without additional human intervention, setting the foundation for integrated pest management strategies that promote environmental health.

The other choices, while they may relate to pest management strategies, do not embody the concept of natural control in the same way. Mechanical controls refer to physical methods of pest removal, habitual changes focus on altering pest behaviors rather than environmental factors, and natural predators certainly play a role in pest control, but they are just one component of the broader “normally occurring factors” that maintain ecological stability.