What does the term "carrying capacity" refer to in geography?

The term "carrying capacity" in geography specifically refers to the maximum sustainable population that an environment can support without degrading its resources. This concept is vital in understanding how ecosystems function and how human activities can impact them. Carrying capacity takes into account the availability of food, water, shelter, and other resources necessary for sustaining a population. When the population exceeds the carrying capacity, it can lead to resource depletion and environmental degradation, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices in managing populations and their impacts on ecosystems.

The other options do not accurately define carrying capacity. While economic growth can influence carrying capacity, it is not the definition. The ability of a habitat to regenerate resources relates more to ecological resilience than to the population limits set by carrying capacity. Lastly, the average lifespan of a species pertains to biological and longevity aspects rather than the concept of how many individuals an environment can sustain.