Carrying Capacity

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support sustainably.

Front

What happens to a population when the death rate rises and the birth rate lowers?

Back

The population decreases.

Front

What is a limiting factor?

Back

A factor that regulates the size of a population, such as food availability, predation, or disease.

Front

What is the carrying capacity of an ecosystem?

Back

The carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely without being degraded.

Front

What occurs when the birth rate is high and the death rate is low?

Back

The population increases.

Front

How can carrying capacity be affected by environmental changes?

Back

Changes such as climate change, habitat destruction, and resource depletion can lower the carrying capacity.

Front

What is an example of a density-dependent limiting factor?

Back

Competition for resources, such as food or space, which becomes more intense as population density increases.

Front

What is an example of a density-independent limiting factor?

Back

Natural disasters, such as floods or wildfires, that affect populations regardless of their density.

Front

How does overpopulation affect carrying capacity?

Back

Overpopulation can lead to resource depletion, habitat destruction, and ultimately a decline in population size.

Front

What role does biodiversity play in an ecosystem's carrying capacity?

Back

Higher biodiversity can enhance ecosystem resilience and stability, potentially increasing carrying capacity.