How do the biotic and abiotic limiting factors of an ecosystem determine its carrying capacity?

Answer 1

Biotic and abiotic limiting factors are factors that limit the population growth and size of living organisms in an ecosystem. Biotic limiting factors include factors such as competition for resources, predation, disease, and parasitism. Abiotic limiting factors include factors such as temperature, water availability, sunlight availability, soil quality, and climate.

The carrying capacity of an ecosystem is defined as the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that the ecosystem can support over a sustained period of time. The carrying capacity is determined by the availability of resources that are necessary for the survival of the species, which can be impacted by both biotic and abiotic limiting factors.

For example, in a predator-prey relationship, the biotic limiting factor of predation can reduce the population size of the prey species, which can in turn limit the number of predators that can be supported by the ecosystem. The availability of food and water, which are abiotic limiting factors, can also limit the carrying capacity of an ecosystem.

In combination, biotic and abiotic factors determine the carrying capacity of an ecosystem by limiting the resources available to species and regulating the population growth. Therefore, a balance must exist between the biotic and abiotic limiting factors of an ecosystem to maintain the carrying capacity and support a sustainable living environment.