Carrying capacity — Science definition

Defined in 3 courses:

Where it is taught

In use

Carrying capacity is the idea that an environment can support only so many of a species given its resources, and that as a population approaches that number, growth slows — because food runs short, waste accumulates, disease spreads more readily, or space runs out.

Habitats, Resources & Population Change

The population climbs quickly at first, then decelerates, and finally levels off at a ceiling called the carrying capacity, written K.

Populations & Communities

Questions using carrying capacity

Problem 1

Why can carrying capacity change?
Answer and explanation

Resources, habitat, and environmental conditions change, altering what the modeled setting can support.

Problem 2

A population exceeds its carrying capacity. The most likely immediate consequence is
  1. an increase in carrying capacity
  2. a decline in population through starvation, disease, or emigration
  3. a permanent higher population
  4. no change
Answer and explanation

a decline in population through starvation, disease, or emigration

Resources cannot support the excess, so density-dependent factors reduce the population back toward or below carrying capacity.

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