Aerial view of cattle grazing on the landscape of the Mumbai Collective

Ever wondered why Beforest Collectives are limited to less than 100 member families on landscapes of 100+ acres? Our new farming collective, the Mumbai Collective, also follows a similar approach, a landscape of 122 acres in the Sahyadris for 90 families and the local fam staff and their families. This is keeping in mind the carrying capacity of the land.

According to a study, humans are already living beyond the “carrying capacity” of the planet. After many research scientists crunched numbers and formulae and ran analyses of the earth’s dynamic shift, they arrived at estimates of how much population the earth can accommodate, which is between 2-4 billion people. And as we know, we humans tend to overdo everything. While arriving at the exact value of the carrying capacity is the trick of specialists and advanced researchers, we can attempt to understand what it is and why it is crucial for restoring landscapes.

What is “Carrying Capacity” of Land?

“Carrying capacity” denotes the maximum population size an environment can sustain, factoring in available resources. This ecological concept assesses the balance between a population’s resource needs and the environment’s ability to provide. Exceeding carrying capacity leads to resource decline, fostering heightened competition and lowered reproduction rates, prompting a population shift toward sustainability.

“Landing carrying capacity” is a specific application focusing on the maximum number of individuals a piece of land can support without compromising productivity or causing environmental harm. It is particularly pertinent to agricultural and grazing lands, where factors like soil fertility, water availability, and vegetation cover influence the land’s ability to sustain livestock or crops.

While numerous factors influence the carrying capacity of the land, it hugely depends on the ecosystem in consideration, population growth rate of the particular species, and livelihood resources like food, water & habitat availability.

Does the Term Apply Only to Human Populations?

No, “carrying capacity” is a concept used broadly in ecology and population biology and is not limited to human populations. It applies to any species or population within an ecosystem. Ecologists use carrying capacity to study and understand the dynamics of various populations, including plants, animals, and microorganisms – for example, the maximum number of deer in a forest, fish in a lake, or bacteria in a petri dish.

The application of carrying capacity is crucial for managing natural resources and ecosystems by determining sustainable resource-use levels and preventing environmental degradation. While commonly associated with human populations, its significance spans all living organisms and their ecological interactions.

Can the Carrying Capacity of Land Change Over Time?

Yes. The carrying capacity of land is dynamic and subject to change due to both natural and human-induced factors. Climate change, driven by alterations in temperature, precipitation, and other climatic factors, can significantly impact land carrying capacity by influencing soil fertility and water availability. Human activities, including deforestation, overgrazing, and urbanisation, contribute to land degradation, reducing its ability to support biodiversity and agriculture. Soil erosion depletes fertile topsoil crucial for plant growth, while pollution from various sources contaminates soil and water resources, further impacting the land’s ability to sustain life.

Water scarcity, invasive species, poor land management practices, technological advances, human population pressure, and natural disasters shape land carrying capacity.

How Does the Carrying Capacity of Land Decrease or Increase?

Carrying capacity of land decreases through

• Deforestation, which curbs the land’s ability to support various species.
• Overgrazing, leading to soil compaction, erosion, and vegetation decline, reducing the land’s capacity for livestock and wildlife.
• Urbanisation, which converts natural landscapes to urban areas, causes habitat loss, reduced green spaces, and impervious surfaces.
• Industrial pollution, contaminating soil and water, harming ecosystems.
• Agricultural intensification through monoculture, agrochemical use and poor soil management.
• Mining and extractive industries, which disrupt ecosystems, degrade soil and destroy habitats.
• Climate change, negatively impacting soil fertility and water availability.
• Invasive species that disrupt native ecosystems.

Recognising and addressing these factors is crucial for sustainable land management and maintaining or restoring the carrying capacity of land over time. 

Carrying capacity of land increases through

• Improved agricultural practices (sustainable farming) to enhance productivity and reduce erosion.
• Rewilding forests – not just afforestation, but bringing back ‘forest-like ecosystems’ that also support biodiversity.
• Soil health building and conservation.
• Efficeint water management to improve water availability.
• Ecosystem restoration to support diverse species.
• Technological advancements that support crop resilience
• Waste recycling and composting to improve soil nutrient content.
• Land reclamation of degraded or abandoned lands.

Increasing the carrying capacity of land often requires a combination of ecological restoration, sustainable land management practices, and community involvement, which directly overlaps with building the work we do at Beforest’s forest-friendly collectives through permaculture farming. 

Carrying Capacity – A Land Metric that Needs More Attention

Focusing on carrying capacity is crucial for sustainable land management, aligning human activities with the land’s long-term support capacity. It prevents overexploitation, ensuring resource conservation for current and future generations. Beyond ecological balance and biodiversity conservation, carrying capacity plays a role in climate change mitigation and efficient water management.

Addressing carrying capacity avoids overpopulation, reduces environmental impact, and fosters resilience to natural disasters. Recognising it aligns with global efforts, emphasising sustainable land use in initiatives like the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. In summary, prioritising carrying capacity is essential for environmental sustainability, responsible resource use, and tackling global challenges.

While the carrying capacity of any given piece of land is complex to arrive at, we can start by practising the thumb rules of sustainable and eco-friendly growth. Biodiversity conservation, forest-friendly farming, water management and community involvement are the pillars of our approach at Beforest, keeping us grounded on our path to food, water & energy security for the community of each collective.