What is a plausible sign that a population has overshot carrying capacity?

• A. Immediate overpopulation without any resource constraints.
• B. Increase in biodiversity due to resource competition.
• C. Resource depletion and degradation of multiple resources such as forests and fisheries.
• D. Uniform resource availability across the landscape.

Answer: (C)

When a population overshoots carrying capacity, the environment can no longer supply enough resources to support everyone at the current level. The clearest sign of that stress is the depletion and degradation of multiple resources—like forests and fisheries—because more individuals are using up the available resources faster than they can recover. This pattern shows the system being pushed beyond what it can sustainably provide, often leading to scarcity and ecological damage as a consequence of overuse.

The other scenarios don’t fit this pattern. If there were no resource constraints, overshoot wouldn’t be happening in the first place. An increase in biodiversity due to competition isn’t typical when resources are being strained; competition under resource stress tends to reduce diversity rather than boost it. Uniform resource availability across the landscape suggests plenty and balance, not overuse and depletion.