| the maximum, equilibrium number of organisms of a particular species that can be supported indefinitely in a given environment. Abbreviation: K |

| car·ry·ing capacity (kār'ē-ĭng) n.
|
In ecology, the number of living things that can exist for long periods in a given area without damaging the environment.
carrying capacity
the average population density or population size of a species below which its numbers tend to increase and above which its numbers tend to decrease because of shortages of resources. The carrying capacity is different for each species in a habitat because of that species' particular food, shelter, and social requirements.
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