What are two factors that can cause sunfish populations to exceed normal rates?

The assertion that increased weed cover and decreased predators can lead to sunfish populations exceeding normal rates is accurate because both elements contribute positively to their growth and reproductive success.

Increased weed cover provides sunfish with essential habitats that offer shelter from predators, as well as abundant food sources. Aquatic plants create an ideal environment for spawning, allowing sunfish to reproduce more successfully. In such settings, the weeds support complex food webs, which help sustain larger populations.

When predator numbers decrease, sunfish face lower direct threats, leading to less competition for resources and increased survival rates for both adults and their offspring. With fewer predators to control their population, sunfish are able to reproduce more freely and establish larger populations. Thus, it is this combination of abundant habitat and reduced predation that enables sunfish populations to flourish beyond normal levels.