Carrying capacity
Carrying Capacity
Carrying Capacity (pronounced: /ˈkæriɪŋ kəˈpæsɪti/) is a term used in Ecology and Population Biology to describe the maximum number of individuals or population size that a specific environment can sustain indefinitely without degrading the environment.
Etymology
The term "Carrying Capacity" originates from the field of ecology. It was first used in the context of population biology in the early 19th century. The term is derived from the English words "carry" and "capacity", which together imply the ability of an environment to support a certain number of organisms.
Definition
Carrying Capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that a particular environment can support over the long term. This is determined by the availability of resources such as food, water, and space, as well as the impact of diseases, predators, and similar factors.
Related Terms
- Overpopulation: A condition where the population of a species exceeds the carrying capacity of its ecological niche.
- Population Density: The number of individuals of a species per unit area or volume.
- Ecological Footprint: A measure of human demand on the Earth's ecosystems.
- Sustainability: The ability to maintain or improve standards of living without damaging or depleting natural resources for future generations.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Carrying capacity
- Wikipedia's article - Carrying capacity
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