Final answer:
The term 'carrying capacity' refers to the maximum number of individuals that can be supported sustainably in a given area by the available resources, and the correct answer to the question is A) Capacity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carrying capacity is the number of persons supportable within a given area by the technologies at their disposal. The correct answer to the fill-in-the-blank question is A) Capacity. It refers to the maximum size of a population that can be sustained by the available resources in a particular environment without harm. The concept of carrying capacity is applicable to any species but is often used in reference to the human population; however, determining this capacity for humans is complex due to variables such as lifestyle choices and resource dependence.
Factors like the amount of food, water, land, and the environmental impact are all considered when evaluating the carrying capacity for a population. It is an essential concept in ecological studies and in the management of resources because it helps to understand the limits of sustainable population growth and the impact of human activities on the environment.