What is biotic potential?

Biotic potential refers to the maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimal environmental conditions. This concept emphasizes the biological traits of a species that contribute to its ability to reproduce and increase its population size when resources are plentiful. Factors influencing biotic potential include the age at which organisms reach reproductive maturity, the frequency of reproduction, the number of offspring produced in each reproductive cycle, and the lifespan of the organism.

By understanding biotic potential, ecologists can better predict population growth patterns and the dynamics of ecosystems. It is important to recognize that while biotic potential assumes ideal conditions, real-world scenarios often include limiting factors such as food availability, disease, predation, and habitat space, which can affect actual population growth. This distinction illustrates how biotic potential sets the baseline for understanding population dynamics in various environmental contexts.

The other options present concepts that are not related to the idea of reproductive capacity. The number of species within an ecosystem refers to biodiversity; the rate at which species become extinct pertains to extinction rates; and diversity within a single species relates to genetic diversity, not reproductive potential.