Carrying Capacity
The carrying capacity of a habitat can be thought of as the maximum number of animals of a given species that a piece of land or habitat can support. Typically, there is a balance that is achieved naturally and inputs equal outputs. That is, when the number of animals born is equal to the number of animals that die naturally, are harvested or are otherwise removed from the landscape.
Carrying capacity can fluctuate from season to season and from year to year. For instance, availability of concealment cover, water, forage or browse may change seasonally, attracting and supporting more animals during certain times of year. These changes can be seen on an annual scale, as well. Prolonged periods of drought in the Southwestern U.S. could impact the carrying capacity of many of Arizona’s game and nongame species.
Natural factors that can limit the potential production of wildlife on a landscape include:
Diseases and Parasites
Starvation
Predators
Injuries
Old Age
Weather Events
In addition to natural causes, humans can alter the carrying capacity of a habitat…
Negatively through…
...over/under-hunting, deforestation, urban development and wildfires.
Positively by….
...actively managing for a specific species. For example, by providing wildlife waters, Arizona Game and Fish has increased the carrying capacity of many landscapes throughout the state by increasing the availability of a precious and often limited resource.
Elk at a water catchment