Concept information

parameter > load bearing capacity > carrying capacity

Preferred term

carrying capacity  

Definition

  • maximum supply of biological products and services that can be provided by the natural environment so that renewable resources are not depleted faster than they can be regenerated and that ecological systems remain viable

Broader concept

Scope note

  • Improved definition (EN only): The carrying capacity of a biological species in an environment is the maximum population size of the species that the environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water, and other necessities available in the environment.

Belongs to group

URI

http://www.eionet.europa.eu/gemet/concept/15093

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