A given environment can only support so many individuals. What do you call the limit of organisms that can be supported in a given area?
2007-04-26 16:30:59 · 9 answers · asked by Rattiesrule 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Carrying capacity is one term. An acre of land will grow just a set number of trees, corn stalks, deer, mice etc. A meter of dark organic soils will only support so many (n) microbes, bacteria, earthworms or grubs.
"Biologists define carrying capacity as the maximum population of a given species that can survive indefinitely in a given environment." http://www.sustainablescale.org/ConceptualFramework/UnderstandingScale/MeasuringScale/CarryingCapacity.aspx
When the term was initially used it was meant to be used for plants and animals. Somehow the human ecologist started using it. But the term really does not apply to humans. Because humans modify their environment. Plants and animals don't.
2007-04-26 16:45:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As has been stated, the answer is the Carrying Capacity (usually refered to as k)
The carrying capacity of a given ecosystem or area is defined for each POPULATION in that area. A population is all of the individuals of the same species (or group). The important thing to note here is that when we talk about the carrying capacity of an ecosystem we aren't jumbling together all the producers, primary consumers and secondary consumers. Each species uses specific proportions of resources and therefore occupies a specific niche. A given ecosystem can have any number of niches.. generally speaking the more productivity going on in an ecosystem the greater the number of niches and/or the larger the population each niche can support.
2007-04-27 00:04:18 · answer #2 · answered by Karrie L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the limit of individuals living on the Planet E. is not really an individual organism rather than an infestation. Be prepare to be exterminated on December 21, 2012; this marks the end of the mayan calendar year where a great flood will overcome the earth....Remember that movie waterworld, remember how horrible it was? Imagine living that 24 hours a day!!!!
2007-04-26 23:36:03 · answer #3 · answered by J 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Overpopulation.
The American Heritage Science Dictionary - "overpopulation "
The population of an environment by a particular species in excess of the environment's carrying capacity. The effects of overpopulation can include the depletion of resources, environmental deterioration, and the prevalence of famine and disease.
2007-04-26 23:34:38 · answer #4 · answered by Kurius_Kitten 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Carrying capacity.
2007-04-27 15:34:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is called carrying capacity.
2007-04-27 08:26:53 · answer #6 · answered by wildlifer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
carrying capacity
2007-04-26 23:33:10 · answer #7 · answered by ecolink 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
yes
2007-04-26 23:32:48 · answer #8 · answered by df a 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
ok.... what do u want?
2007-04-26 23:33:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋