Carrying Capacity and Limiting Factors

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

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

Front

What are limiting factors?

Back

Environmental conditions that restrict the growth, abundance, or distribution of a population within an ecosystem.

Front

How can humans change the carrying capacity of a species?

Back

By manipulating resources in its natural environment.

Front

What happens if a population exceeds its carrying capacity?

Back

It can lead to the depletion of available resources in its ecosystem.

Front

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Back

They break down and recycle dead organisms and organic matter.

Front

Name a biotic limiting factor.

Back

Food available for organisms.

Front

What are abiotic factors?

Back

Non-living physical and chemical elements in the environment that affect living organisms.

Front

Give an example of an abiotic limiting factor.

Back

The amount of breathable oxygen available to a population.

Front

What is the relationship between carrying capacity and population growth?

Back

When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, it can lead to resource depletion and population decline.

Front

How do predators affect carrying capacity?

Back

Predators can limit the population size of prey species, thus affecting the carrying capacity.