What factors other than available food might affect the carrying capacity of an environment? Describe one factor that would decrease the carrying capacity and one factor that would increase the carrying capacity.
Apart from available food, several factors can affect the carrying capacity of an environment. One factor that would decrease the carrying capacity is the availability of shelter or habitat. Many species require specific types of shelter or nesting sites to survive and reproduce. For example, if deforestation occurs, it can reduce the number of nesting trees for birds, leading to a decrease in their carrying capacity.
On the other hand, one factor that would increase the carrying capacity is the availability of water. Water is vital for the survival of most organisms, and its presence in sufficient quantities can support a larger population. For instance, in arid regions, the introduction of an irrigation system to provide water to crops can increase food production, which in turn raises the carrying capacity of the environment for both humans and other organisms dependent on those crops.