Which term describes the maximum population size of a species that the habitat can support?

The term that defines the maximum population size of a species that a habitat can support is known as carrying capacity. This concept represents the balance between the environmental resources available and the demands of the population living there. It takes into account factors such as food availability, water supply, habitat space, and the presence of predators or disease, which can all limit or support population growth.

Understanding carrying capacity is crucial in ecology and conservation because it helps in managing wildlife populations and their habitats sustainably. When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, it can lead to resource depletion, habitat degradation, and eventually a decline in population as a result of competition for dwindling resources. This knowledge informs conservation strategies to ensure that habitats remain capable of supporting healthy populations of species.

In contrast, other terms such as population density, habitat limit, and ecological niche refer to different ecological concepts. Population density relates to how many individuals are present in a particular area, habitat limit refers more generally to the physical boundaries of an ecosystem, and ecological niche describes the role and position a species occupies in its environment, including its habitat, resource use, and interactions with other organisms.