Which term refers to the ability of the environment to sustain a certain population over time?

The term that refers to the ability of the environment to sustain a certain population over time is "Carrying Capacity." This concept is grounded in ecology and refers to the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can support indefinitely without degrading the environment. Carrying capacity takes into account the resource availability, including food, water, shelter, and other necessary elements for survival. It emphasizes the balance between the population size and the resources available in the ecosystem, illustrating how changes in either can impact the sustainability of the population.

Renewable resources refer to natural resources that can replenish themselves, but they do not specifically address population sustainability over time. The ecological footprint measures the demand placed on Earth's ecosystems and resources by individuals or populations, focusing on consumption rather than the environment's capacity to sustain them. Carbon limits pertain to regulations or thresholds regarding carbon emissions, which are crucial in discussions about climate change but are not directly related to the sustainability of populations within an ecosystem.