What term describes the maximum population size that an environment can sustain?

The term that describes the maximum population size that an environment can sustain is known as "carrying capacity." This concept is critical in ecology as it encompasses the resources available in an ecosystem, including food, water, shelter, and other necessities that organisms require to survive and reproduce.

As populations grow, they may initially thrive, but as they approach the carrying capacity, the resources become limited, leading to increased competition, decreased birth rates, and potentially higher mortality rates. Understanding carrying capacity is vital for conservation efforts, as it helps in managing wildlife populations and ensuring that ecosystems remain balanced and healthy.

The other terms, while related to ecological concepts, do not directly define the maximum sustainable population size. Population density refers to the number of individuals per unit area, biotic potential relates to the maximum reproductive capacity of a species under ideal conditions, and ecological footprint measures human demand on natural ecosystems rather than the capacity of an environment to support a population.