Name one environmental factor that can influence pest populations.

Weather conditions such as temperature and rainfall play a significant role in influencing pest populations. Pests are highly responsive to environmental changes; for example, warm temperatures can accelerate pest development and reproduction rates, leading to population outbreaks. Additionally, rainfall impacts pest survival and distribution, as some pests thrive in wet conditions, while others may be adversely affected. Extreme weather patterns can also disrupt established pest management practices or create favorable conditions for pest invasions.

Soil pH levels, while important for plant growth and health, do not directly influence pest populations to the same extent as weather conditions do. Meanwhile, types of pest control methods and crop rotation practices are strategies employed by growers to manage pest populations rather than environmental factors that directly affect those populations. Therefore, identifying weather conditions as a key variable highlights its crucial role in the dynamics of pest management.