Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals that an environment can sustainably support without causing long-term damage or depletion of resources.
Related terms
Limiting Factors: Limiting factors are environmental conditions that restrict the growth or distribution of a population. Examples include food availability, water supply, and competition for resources.
Overshoot: Overshoot occurs when a population temporarily exceeds its carrying capacity due to favorable conditions but eventually declines as resources become limited.
Ecological Footprint: Ecological footprint measures how much land and resources are required to sustain an individual's lifestyle and consumption patterns. It helps us understand our impact on Earth's carrying capacity.