Which of the following is NOT a key feature of populations that determine their future?

The correct answer highlights that genetic diversity, while an important aspect of a population's overall health and adaptability, is not a key feature that determines the future of a population in the same direct and quantifiable way as the other listed factors.

Population size is crucial because it affects the reproductive potential and survival of the species; larger populations have a greater chance of surviving environmental changes due to more individuals able to reproduce. Population density, which refers to how many individuals are in a given area, can impact resource availability, competition, and social interactions within the species. Dispersion, or the way individuals are spaced in their environment, can also influence mating patterns, competition, and survival.

Although genetic diversity contributes to a population's ability to adapt to changes and resist diseases, it does not inherently dictate immediate population dynamics like the other three factors do. Therefore, while all elements are relevant to understanding a population's sustainability and resilience, the other three features have a more direct impact on the demographic trends and ecological outcomes of the population.