Chapter 2: Wildlife Conservation
Carrying Capacity

The resources in any given habitat can support only a certain quantity of wildlife. As seasons change, food, water, or cover may be in short supply causing damage to the animals or the habitat. Carrying capacity is the number of animals the habitat can support all year long. The carrying capacity of a certain tract of land can vary from year to year. It can be changed by nature or humans.

Factors that limit wildlife potential include:

• Starvation
• Disease and Parasites
• Accidents
• Weather
• Hunting
• Predators
• Loss of Habitat
• Human Development
• Old Age

If the conditions are balanced, game animals will produce a surplus, which can be harvested on an annual, sustainable basis.