One biotic factor that limits the carrying capacity of any habitat is the:

• A. availability of food resources
• B. temperature fluctuations
• C. soil mineral content
• D. amount of sunlight

Answer: (A)

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 support sustainably, based on available resources and environmental conditions.
2. Identify biotic factors: Biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem that affect the survival and reproduction of organisms, such as food availability, predation, competition, and disease.
3. Analyze the options provided: Availability of food resources is a biotic factor because it directly involves living organisms and their interactions. The other options (temperature fluctuations, soil mineral content, and amount of sunlight) are abiotic factors, which are non-living components of the environment.
4. Relate food availability to carrying capacity: Food resources are essential for the survival and reproduction of organisms. If food is scarce, the population size will decrease, limiting the carrying capacity of the habitat.
5. Conclude that the correct answer is 'availability of food resources,' as it is the biotic factor that directly impacts the carrying capacity of the habitat.