Carrying Capacity Impacts of Chinook Salmon (Overview)

Notes

• Subtopic: Impact of Chinook Salmon Population Changes on Ecosystem Carrying Capacity The change in population of Chinook salmon from 1984 until 2010 will decrease the carrying capacity of grizzly bears in the Salish Sea ecosystem. The change in population of Chinook salmon from 1984 until 2010 will increase the carrying capacity of bald eagles in the Salish Sea ecosystem. The change in population of Chinook salmon from 1984 until 2010 will increase the carrying capacity of killer whales in the Salish Sea ecosystem. The change in population of Chinook salmon from 1984 until 2010 will stabilize the carrying capacity of aquatic invertebrates in the Salish Sea ecosystem. **Carrying capacity (K)** is the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an ecosystem can support. The value of K varies depending on the species and the availability of resources. The size of a population generally stabilizes once it reaches carrying capacity.