Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of organisms that an environment can sustainably support over a long period. This limit is determined by factors such as the availability of resources like food, water, and shelter, as well as the impact of environmental conditions like temperature and competition for resources.
For example, imagine a pond with a carrying capacity for fish. If the pond can only support 100 fish due to the availability of food and space, exceeding this limit would lead to competition for resources, decreased growth rates, and even population decline.
Understanding carrying capacity is crucial in ecology as it helps scientists predict and manage populations to ensure the sustainability of ecosystems. By staying within the carrying capacity, organisms can thrive without depleting resources or causing harm to the environment.
