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, habitat space, and prevailing environmental conditions. In ecological research, this concept is often applied to human populations, where it becomes a contentious issue. Proponents of strict limits argue that unchecked consumption and technological optimism have led to overshoot, where demand exceeds the planet's regenerative capacity. Conversely, critics contend that carrying capacity is not fixed; human ingenuity, trade, and technological advances can effectively raise the ceiling by substituting resources and improving efficiency. This debate underscores the difficulty of predicting long-term sustainability, as it hinges on dynamic interactions between natural systems and socio-economic behaviors, rather than simple arithmetic of population versus food supply.
❓ Согласно тексту, в чём заключается основная точка разногласий относительно экологической ёмкости территории?
A. A. Превысит ли в конечном итоге рост человеческого населения производство продовольствия из-за ограниченности ресурсов.
B. B. Является ли несущая способность статическим пределом или может быть расширена благодаря человеческим инновациям и адаптации.
C. C. Привели ли технологические достижения уже к необратимому ущербу для природных экосистем.
D. D. Способна ли торговля между странами эффективно перераспределять ресурсы для предотвращения регионального перенапряжения.
✅ 正确答案
B. Whether carrying capacity is a static limit or can be expanded through human innovation and adaptation.
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim the questions first, underline keywords, then locate in the passage
Watch for paraphrasing; correct answers are often reworded
Be wary of absolute statements (all, always, never) — usually wrong
Pay attention to content after transition words (however, but, yet)
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