Final answer:
Carrying capacity is the key factor determining where and how many individuals can reside in a given location, influenced by both density-dependent and density-independent factors that interact to limit population growth and define the potential size and density of a population within an ecosystem.
Step-by-step explanation:
​Carrying capacity is a major factor determining where and how many individuals can live at a specific location. It refers to the amount of people, or any species, that can live in a given area considering the amount of available resources such as food, nutrients, water, and space. Population size and population density are important aspects of how a population interacts with its environment. Population size indicates the total number of individuals, whereas population density refers to the number of individuals per unit of area.
Limiting factors to population growth often determine the carrying capacity of a region. These can include availability of food, the amount of space, and access to water and nutrients. Additionally, factors such as temperature, disease, predation, and the ability to recycle nutrients and/or waste play important roles. Density-dependent factors, which get worse as population density increases, can influence mortality and reproduction rates within a population.
In contrast, density-independent factors, such as weather, natural disasters, and pollution, affect mortality in a population regardless of its density. Hence, both density-dependent and density-independent factors can interact to regulate populations in complex ways. Importantly, outcomes post-disturbance might differ between dense and sparse populations, as density-dependent factors come into play during recovery. In sum, carrying capacity is influenced by a myriad of interacting factors that limit population growth within an ecosystem.