An ecologist is studying a desert ecosystem like the one modeled in the energy pyramid. Which of the limiting factors would affect the carrying capacity of the population of insects in this ecosystem? A. The number of cacti, flowering shrubs, and desert trees that could grow during an extended dry period.

B. A group of small birds that immigrated to the desert during a drought

C. A group of birds of prey that emigrated from the desert because of an extended dry period.

D. All of these would affect the carrying capacity of the insect population.

E. None of these would affect the carrying capacity of the insect population because only abiotic factors can do that.