In ecology, what is the primary factor in determining carrying capacity?

The primary factor in determining carrying capacity is resource availability. Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely without degrading the habitat. This capacity is fundamentally tied to the resources available in that environment, such as food, water, shelter, and space.

When resources are abundant, a population can thrive and grow, as individuals have what they need to survive and reproduce. Conversely, if resources are limited, the population cannot increase beyond a certain point because the individuals will not have enough food or space, leading to competition and potentially high mortality rates.

While other factors such as predation, climate, and habitat types can influence population dynamics and overall ecosystem health, they often operate in conjunction with resource availability. For instance, a high level of predation might reduce a population's size, but it is ultimately the availability of resources that restricts how many individuals can live in a specific area over the long term.