What is the largest number of individuals an environment can support over a sustained period of time without degrading the environment or its resources?
The largest number of individuals an environment can support over a sustained period of time without degrading the environment or its resources is known as the carrying capacity. Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size that an environment can sustainably support given its available resources, such as food, water, and living space. It represents a balance between the population's needs and the environment's ability to meet those needs. When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, it can lead to resource depletion, habitat degradation, and ultimately, a population decline as the environment becomes less able to support the excessive number of individuals.
