Carrying Capacity

The resources in any given habitat can support only a certain quantity of wildlife. As seasons change, food, water, or cover may be in short supply. Carrying capacity is the number of animals the habitat can support all year long. The carrying capacity of a certain tract of land can vary from year to year. It can be changed by nature or humans.

carrying capacity: The number of animals the habitat can support throughout the year without damage to the animals or to the habitat

Factors that limit the potential production of wildlife include:

• Accidents
• Disease/parasites
• Hunting
• Old age
• Pollution
• Predators
• Starvation

If the conditions are favorable, wildlife populations produce a surplus, which can be harvested on an annual, sustained basis.