Biocapacity is the capacity of an ecosystem to produce useful biological materials such as natural resources, and to absorb waste materials generated by humans, including carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It represents the ecosystem's regenerative ability to supply renewable resources and filter waste under current management and extraction technologies. Biocapacity is typically measured in global hectares per person—an adjusted unit representing the average biological productivity of all productive hectares on Earth in a given year. It is calculated by dividing the total biologically productive land and water area by the human population, reflecting the amount of resources available to support human life. For example, in 2016, the Earth's biocapacity was about 1.6 global hectares per person. Biocapacity is used together with ecological footprint as tools to measure human impact on the environment and sustainability. If the ecological footprint (demand) of a population exceeds the biocapacity (supply) of the region or planet they live in, it results in a biocapacity deficit, indicating overuse of natural resources. This concept helps assess whether human economies or populations are living within the means of the ecosystems that support them and guides efforts to maintain ecological balance and sustainability. The balance between biocapacity and ecological footprint is crucial for preserving resources, avoiding ecosystem collapse, and addressing environmental impacts such as climate change. In summary, biocapacity is the Earth's or any ecosystem's ability to regenerate resources and absorb waste, serving as a measure of sustainability and environmental limits for human activities. It is fundamental for understanding and managing the planet’s ecological health.
