Final answer:
As the human population has grown, the result on natural capital has been a decrease, largely due to the overuse and degradation of vital resources, as well as environmental damage caused by technological advancements.
Step-by-step explanation:
As the human population has increased, the natural capital has decreased. Natural capital refers to the world's stocks of natural assets which include geology, soil, air, water, and all living things. Humans, through various activities, impact the carrying capacity of the environment. Some of these activities, like deforestation, overfishing, and pollution, diminish the natural capital by degrading ecosystems. Activities that increase the carrying capacity, such as advancements in agriculture and medicine, often come with environmental costs that may ultimately reduce the Earth's ability to support human life.
The increasing demand for resources outpaces the Earth's supply, leading to a depletion of vital resources such as water, forests, and agricultural soils. Furthermore, the technological advancements meant to increase carrying capacity can lead to problems like the depletion of the ozone layer, acid rain, and global climate change, suggesting that the negative effects might eventually outweigh the positive ones. Thus, the question's answer is (1) Decreased.