In an ecosystem at carrying capacity, the population of a species remains relatively stable due to limiting factors such as food availability, space, and competition. Therefore, the most appropriate description for an ecosystem at carrying capacity would be "constant with no changes over time."
Here's a breakdown to explain why:
1. **Carrying Capacity**: This refers to the maximum population size that an ecosystem can sustain over the long term. When a population reaches its carrying capacity, it means the resources available in the environment can support that specific number of individuals without causing significant changes.
2. **Stability**: At carrying capacity, the ecosystem is in equilibrium, with births and deaths roughly balancing out. This leads to a relatively constant population size with minimal fluctuations.
3. **Limited Growth**: Since the ecosystem is already supporting the maximum number of individuals it can sustain, the population will not grow exponentially over time. Instead, it will hover around the carrying capacity level, maintaining a relatively stable population size.
Therefore, the correct description for an ecosystem at carrying capacity is "constant with no changes over time." This indicates that the population remains stable without significant growth or decline.
