Explain human population growth in terms of carrying capacity.

Organisms in ecosystems are limited by carrying capacity, which is the maximum population size that a given environment can sustain. Some believe that the idea of carrying capacity does not apply to the human world because humans are not passive with respect to their environment. Human beings can create resources to meet their needs. Environmental scientists point out that many resources and ecosystem services are irreplaceable when depleted. The problem with unlimited human population growth is that higher population sizes will decrease the quality of life as resources, social systems, and the natural environment are stressed beyond their limits, especially since humans are so mobile and prefer certain types of environments such as proximity to water supplies and to coastal areas.