Carrying Capacity (K) in AP Biology

Definition

The carrying capacity (K) refers to the maximum number of individuals or species that an environment can sustainably support.

Related terms

Population Growth Rate:

The rate at which the size of a population changes over time due to birth, death, immigration, and emigration.

Density-dependent Factors: Environmental factors such as competition for resources, predation, and disease that affect population size in relation to its density.

Limiting Factors:

Factors including food availability, water supply, habitat space, and other resources that limit the growth of a population.