When organisms face limiting factors, they show logistic growth (S-shaped curve, curve B: Figure below ). Competition for resources like food and space cause the growth rate to stop increasing, so the population levels off. This flat upper line on a growth curve is the carrying capacity. The carrying capacity (K) is the maximum population size that can be supported in a particular area without destroying the habitat. Limiting factors determine the carrying capacity of a population. Recall that when there are no limiting factors, the population grows exponentially. In exponential growth (J-shaped curve, curve A: Figure below ), as the population size increases, the growth rate also increases.
Wolves, elk and deer lived in Yellowstone National Park. While wolves lived there the elk and deer population was stable. When wolves became extinct in the area the elk and deer population exploded. Soon the forest showed signs of being damaged by the grazing Elk and deer.
When was the deer and elk population above capacity?