carrying capacity
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.
Citation Information
Article Title:
carrying capacity
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
13 September 2024
Access Date:
March 14, 2025