What is meant by "carrying capacity" in geography?

Carrying capacity in geography refers to the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can sustainably support over time without degrading the habitat. This concept encompasses various factors including the availability of resources such as food, water, and shelter, as well as the effects of waste and competition among species.

In the context of human populations, understanding carrying capacity is crucial for assessing the potential for population growth in relation to resource availability and environmental sustainability. It highlights the delicate balance between human needs and the ecological systems that provide for those needs. The other options focus on different aspects of geography and demographics, such as land area, birth rates, or economic resources, which do not encapsulate the idea of maximum sustainable population as effectively as carrying capacity does.