Populations and Sustainability

Population - A group of organisms of the same species, which live in the same place at the same time and can interbreed with one another.

Biotic factor - how living organisms affect eachother; 

• Food supply
• Predation 
• Disease

Abiotic factor - the effect of non-living components of the eosystem;

• pH
• Temperature
• Soil type

Carrying capacity - the maximum population time that can be maintained over a period of time in a particular habitat

A habitat cannot support a population larger than its carry capacity because of limiting factors, which place a limit on the poulation size.

Resources:

• food
• water
• light
• oxygen
• nesting sites
• shelter

Effects on other species:

• predators
• parasites

Intensity of competition for resources.