Carrying capacity

The level of use an environment can support without unacceptable damage; it varies with local conditions.

The maximum number of visitors a place can support without unacceptable environmental damage, disruption to residents or deterioration in visitors’ experiences.

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of visitors a place can support without unacceptable environmental damage, disruption to residents or deterioration in visitors’ experiences. It is not simply the number of visitors who can fit into an area.

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of visitors a place can support without unacceptable environmental damage, disruption to residents or loss of visitor enjoyment—not simply how many people can physically fit there.

The number of animals an area can support over time without degrading its vegetation and soil; this changes with conditions such as rainfall.

The carrying capacity of grazing land is not fixed. A herd that can be supported during wet years may be too large during drought, when pasture growth declines. Keeping the same number of animals then increases pressure on the remaining vegetation.

Definition

How each exam board covers it

Eduqas GCSE Geography A · C111

Exam tips

Get more free notes every week

Eduqas GCSE Geography B · C112