carrying capacity,the maximum number of animals of one or more species that can be supported by a particular habitat or area through the most unfavourable period of the yearaverage population density or population size of a species below which its numbers tend to increase and above which its numbers tend to decrease because of shortages of resources. The carrying capacity is different for each species in a habitat because of that species’ particular food, shelter, and social requirements and because of competition from other species that may have similar requirements.