雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of 'environmental carrying capacity' refers to the maximum population size of a species that an ecosystem can sustain indefinitely, given the available resources. In ecological studies, this notion is often applied to human populations, where it becomes a contentious issue. Proponents argue that exceeding carrying capacity leads to resource depletion, habitat degradation, and eventual population collapse. However, critics point out that human ingenuity, technological advancement, and trade can effectively raise the carrying capacity by substituting scarce resources or increasing efficiency. For instance, the Green Revolution dramatically boosted agricultural yields, temporarily alleviating food shortages in densely populated regions. Yet, such solutions often carry hidden costs, including soil erosion, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Thus, while technology may postpone limits, it does not eliminate them, suggesting that sustainable development requires a balance between innovation and ecological preservation.