Which factor is most likely to reduce the carrying capacity of an otter population in a lake?

a. shortage of food
b. plenty of space
c. sufficient water
d. cool temperatures

(A). Shortage of food

Explanation:

Carrying capacity of an ecosystem for a population can be defined as the maximum number of individuals of an species that can sustain in that ecosystem indefinitely, given the habitat, food, water and other necessary sources.

If there would be shortage of food in lake, where otter population lives shortage of food would reduce the carrying capacity. This is because number of individuals that can be sustained by lake ecosystem will decrease due to unavailability of sufficient food.

Thus, the correct answer is option (A).