Question
Write It! The interactions between predator and prey populations work together to drive changes in populations over time. Study the changes in predator and prey populations over time in the graph. Demonstrate your understanding of population dynamics by: - Describing the relationship between predator and prey population changes. -Identifying segments of exponential and logistic growth for both predator and prey. - Explaining factors that limit population growth for both predator and prey.
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Faith
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Answer
To answer the question, we will follow these steps:Step 1: Describe the relationship between predator and prey population changes.Step 2: Identify segments of exponential and logistic growth for both predator and prey.Step 3: Explain factors that limit population growth for both predator and prey.Step 1: Describe the relationship between predator and prey population changes.The relationship between predator and prey populations is typically characterized by a cyclical pattern where the population size of each affects the other. As the prey population increases, there is more food available for predators, which can lead to an increase in the predator population. However, as the predator population grows, the increased predation pressure can cause the prey population to decrease. When the prey population decreases, there is less food available for predators, which can lead to a decrease in the predator population. This in turn can allow the prey population to recover, and the cycle begins again. This is known as the predator-prey cycle.Step 2: Identify segments of exponential and logistic growth for both predator and prey.Exponential growth occurs when the population size of the prey increases rapidly due to abundant resources and minimal predation. This is typically seen at the beginning of the cycle when the prey population starts to recover after a decline. The prey population grows quickly because there are few predators and plenty of resources.Logistic growth occurs when the growth rate decreases as the population size approaches the carrying capacity of the environment. This can be seen in the graph when the prey population starts to level off after a period of rapid growth. This leveling off indicates that resources are becoming limited or that predation is keeping the population in check.For the predator population, exponential growth is observed after a lag period following the increase in prey population. This is because it takes time for the increased prey availability to translate into more predators due to gestation and maturation times. Logistic growth for predators is seen when the predator population also starts to level off due to a decrease in prey availability or other limiting factors such as disease or competition within the predator population.Step 3: Explain factors that limit population growth for both predator and prey.For prey, factors that limit population growth include:- Availability of food resources: As the prey population grows, the demand for food increases, which can lead to overconsumption and depletion of resources.- Predation: An increase in the predator population can lead to a higher predation rate, which decreases the prey population.- Disease: High population density can lead to the spread of disease, which can decrease the population.- Habitat space: Limited space can lead to competition among individuals, which can limit population growth.For predators, factors that limit population growth include:- Availability of prey: As the predator population grows, the demand for prey increases, which can lead to a decrease in prey availability.- Intraspecific competition: Competition among predators for limited prey can limit population growth.- Disease: As with prey, high population density among predators can lead to the spread of disease.- Habitat space: Limited territory can lead to conflicts and competition among predators, which can limit population growth.Final Answer:The relationship between predator and prey populations is cyclical, with each population affecting the other's size over time. Exponential growth is observed when resources are abundant and predation is low for prey, and with a lag for predators following an increase in prey. Logistic growth occurs as each population approaches the carrying capacity of the environment. Population growth is limited by factors such as resource availability, predation, disease, and habitat space for both predator and prey.