In the context of ecology, what does the carrying capacity of an ecosystem refer to?

• A. The rate at which a population increases under ideal conditions
• B. The amount of energy available at the producer level in a food web
• C. The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support
• D. The total number of different species present in an ecosystem

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of carrying capacity: Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support, given the available resources such as food, water, shelter, and space.
2. Distinguish carrying capacity from other ecological terms: It is not the rate of population increase under ideal conditions (which is related to biotic potential), nor the amount of energy at the producer level (which pertains to trophic levels and energy flow in ecosystems).
3. Recognize the factors influencing carrying capacity: These include resource availability, competition, predation, disease, and environmental conditions. When resources are limited, populations may stabilize or decline to avoid exceeding the carrying capacity.
4. Understand the implications of exceeding carrying capacity: If a population surpasses the carrying capacity, it can lead to resource depletion, environmental degradation, and population crashes due to starvation or other stressors.
5. Apply the concept to real-world examples: For instance, in a forest ecosystem, the carrying capacity for deer would depend on the availability of food (plants), water sources, and space for shelter. If these resources are abundant, the population can grow; if they are scarce, the population will decline or stabilize.