Biocapacity – or biological capacity – is the ability ecosystems can provide natural resources and absorb the waste produced by humans. To determine the Biocapacity of an area, the physical area is multiplied by the yield and equivalence factors.

The Biocapacity of the Earth is a problem that continues to grow as humanity progresses. According to the World Wildlife Federation, it would take a 1.5 Earths to produce the amount of resources needed for humans to use. It is expected that the human population will need two Earths worth of resources by the year 2050.

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Other Sources

Global Footprint Network “Biocapacity.” Footprint Network.org. http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/glossary. Accessed September 12, 2016.