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What does the carrying capacity (K) of a habitat refer to?
- a)The maximum growth rate a population can achieve
- b)The maximum number of individuals an environment can support
- c)The rate of immigration into a population
- d)The total biomass of a population
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
What does the carrying capacity (K) of a habitat refer to?a)The maximu...
Understanding Carrying Capacity (K)
The carrying capacity, often denoted as "K," is a crucial ecological concept that defines the limits of a habitat's ability to sustain a population. Here's a detailed explanation:
Definition of Carrying Capacity
- The carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can support over time without degrading the habitat.
- It is influenced by various factors such as food availability, water supply, habitat space, and the presence of predators and diseases.
Importance of Carrying Capacity
- Understanding carrying capacity helps in the management of wildlife populations and natural resources, ensuring that ecosystems remain balanced and healthy.
- It aids in predicting how changes in the environment (like climate change or human encroachment) can impact species survival.
Factors Influencing Carrying Capacity
- Resource Availability: The amount of food, water, and shelter available directly affects how many individuals can be supported.
- Environmental Conditions: Changes in climate, habitat destruction, and pollution can lower the carrying capacity.
- Species Interactions: Predation, competition, and disease can either increase or decrease the effective carrying capacity.
Consequences of Exceeding Carrying Capacity
- When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, it can lead to overpopulation, resulting in resource depletion, habitat destruction, and a decline in population health.
- This often causes a population crash, where the numbers plummet due to starvation or increased mortality.
In summary, the carrying capacity (K) is essential for maintaining ecological balance, and understanding it allows for better conservation and management strategies.
The carrying capacity, often denoted as "K," is a crucial ecological concept that defines the limits of a habitat's ability to sustain a population. Here's a detailed explanation:
Definition of Carrying Capacity
- The carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can support over time without degrading the habitat.
- It is influenced by various factors such as food availability, water supply, habitat space, and the presence of predators and diseases.
Importance of Carrying Capacity
- Understanding carrying capacity helps in the management of wildlife populations and natural resources, ensuring that ecosystems remain balanced and healthy.
- It aids in predicting how changes in the environment (like climate change or human encroachment) can impact species survival.
Factors Influencing Carrying Capacity
- Resource Availability: The amount of food, water, and shelter available directly affects how many individuals can be supported.
- Environmental Conditions: Changes in climate, habitat destruction, and pollution can lower the carrying capacity.
- Species Interactions: Predation, competition, and disease can either increase or decrease the effective carrying capacity.
Consequences of Exceeding Carrying Capacity
- When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, it can lead to overpopulation, resulting in resource depletion, habitat destruction, and a decline in population health.
- This often causes a population crash, where the numbers plummet due to starvation or increased mortality.
In summary, the carrying capacity (K) is essential for maintaining ecological balance, and understanding it allows for better conservation and management strategies.
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Community Answer
What does the carrying capacity (K) of a habitat refer to?a)The maximu...
Carrying capacity (K) refers to the maximum number of individuals a habitat can support given the available resources. Beyond this limit, the population will stop growing or may even decline due to resource depletion.
Topic in NCERT: Carrying Capacity
Line in NCERT: "In nature, a given habitat has enough resources to support a maximum possible number, beyond which no further growth is possible. Let us call this limit as nature's carrying capacity (K) for that species in that habitat."
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What does the carrying capacity (K) of a habitat refer to?a)The maximum growth rate a population can achieveb)The maximum number of individuals an environment can supportc)The rate of immigration into a populationd)The total biomass of a populationCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for NEET 2025 is part of NEET preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the NEET exam syllabus. Information about What does the carrying capacity (K) of a habitat refer to?a)The maximum growth rate a population can achieveb)The maximum number of individuals an environment can supportc)The rate of immigration into a populationd)The total biomass of a populationCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for NEET 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for What does the carrying capacity (K) of a habitat refer to?a)The maximum growth rate a population can achieveb)The maximum number of individuals an environment can supportc)The rate of immigration into a populationd)The total biomass of a populationCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
What does the carrying capacity (K) of a habitat refer to?a)The maximum growth rate a population can achieveb)The maximum number of individuals an environment can supportc)The rate of immigration into a populationd)The total biomass of a populationCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for NEET 2025 is part of NEET preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the NEET exam syllabus. Information about What does the carrying capacity (K) of a habitat refer to?a)The maximum growth rate a population can achieveb)The maximum number of individuals an environment can supportc)The rate of immigration into a populationd)The total biomass of a populationCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for NEET 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for What does the carrying capacity (K) of a habitat refer to?a)The maximum growth rate a population can achieveb)The maximum number of individuals an environment can supportc)The rate of immigration into a populationd)The total biomass of a populationCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
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