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
Biotic potential refers to the maximum rate at which a population can grow under ideal conditions with unlimited resources.
Related terms
Carrying Capacity: The maximum number of individuals that an environment can sustainably support.
Reproductive Strategies: Different methods used by organisms to reproduce, such as r-selected (producing many offspring with little parental care) or K-selected (producing few offspring with extensive parental care).
Limiting Factors: Environmental factors that restrict population growth, such as availability of food, water, shelter, or predation pressure.