carrying capacity

carrying capacity and exponential versus logistic population growthIn an ideal environment (one that has no limiting factors) populations grow at an exponential rate. The growth curve of these populations is smooth and becomes increasingly steep over time (left). However, for all populations, exponential growth is curtailed by factors such as limitations in food, competition for other resources, or disease. As competition increases and resources become increasingly scarce, populations reach the carrying capacity (K) of their environment, causing their growth rate to slow nearly to zero. This produces an S-shaped curve of population growth known as the logistic curve (right).

carrying capacity, the average population density or population size of a species below which its numbers tend to increase and above which its numbers tend to decrease because of shortages of resources. The carrying capacity is different for each species in a habitat because of that species’ particular food, shelter, and social requirements.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Teagan Wolter.
Citation Information
Article Title: carrying capacity
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 13 September 2024
Access Date: March 13, 2025