Carrying Capacity

Real World Example

Imagine hosting a dinner party with only a limited number of chairs and plates available. Just like your dining room has a maximum number of guests it can comfortably accommodate, an environment has a carrying capacity—the largest population it can support without being depleted. In both scenarios, whether it's the number of guests at your party or the number of organisms in an ecosystem, exceeding the capacity leads to discomfort and resource shortages, like running out of chairs or food, which in nature could mean a lack of food, space, or other essentials needed for survival.