Which term best describes an environmental condition that limits the growth and survival of a population?

The term that best describes an environmental condition that limits the growth and survival of a population is "Limiting Factor." This concept refers to any resource or condition that constrains the numbers or growth rates of organisms within an ecosystem. For example, factors such as food availability, water supply, habitat space, or environmental conditions like temperature and light can limit population size.

When a limiting factor is in short supply or outside of the optimal range, it can significantly impact a population's health and ability to thrive. This concept is crucial in understanding population ecology because it highlights the balance between resources and the organisms that depend on them. Understanding limiting factors allows ecologists to predict how populations may change over time in response to shifts in their environment.

The other options do not accurately define this concept. For instance, carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely. Ecological imposition is not a standard ecological term and does not have recognized meaning in this context. Resource barrier could refer to specific physical obstructions related to resources, but it does not encompass the broader scope of environmental conditions that limit populations.