Question

questions: 1. describe the pattern of population growth you observe in the first 15 years (1995 - 2010). what is this type of rapid growth called? 2. what is the approximate carrying capacity (k) for wolves in this park, based on the graph? 3. identify two density - dependent limiting factors that might be causing the population growth to slow down and stabilize. station b: the reintroduction of wolves questions: 1. based on the graph, which population is the predator and which is the prey? explain your reasoning? 2. why does the peak of the ladybug population consistently happen after the peak of the aphid population? 3. predict what would happen to both populations if a pesticide was used that was harmless to ladybugs but killed 75% of the aphids in week 10. name__ date period__ station c: the reintroduction of wolves questions: 1. what happened to the frog population in year 5? 2. is the drought considered a density - dependent or a density - independent limiting factor? explain why? 3. why does the frog population begin to recover in the years following the drought? what factors might prevent it from immediately returning to its original size?

Explanation:

1. In the first 15 - year period (1995 - 2010), if the population shows a rapid, unrestricted increase, it is likely exponential growth. Exponential growth occurs when a population has abundant resources and few limiting factors.
2. The carrying capacity (K) is the maximum number of individuals of a population that an environment can sustain. To determine it from a graph, look for the point where the population levels off.
3. Density - dependent limiting factors include competition for resources (such as food and space), predation, and disease. As the population density increases, these factors become more significant.

For Station B:

1. The predator is the organism that hunts and eats the other. Typically, the predator population lags behind the prey population in terms of peaks and troughs. If one population rises first and then the other follows, the one that follows is likely the predator.
2. Ladybugs eat aphids. The peak of the ladybug population happens after the aphid population peak because ladybugs rely on aphids as a food source. When aphid numbers increase, there is more food for ladybugs, so their population starts to grow with a time - lag.
3. If 75% of the aphids are killed, the aphid population will drop significantly. Since ladybugs rely on aphids for food, the ladybug population will also decrease in the short - term due to lack of food. However, as the remaining aphids reproduce, the aphid population may start to recover, and then the ladybug population may follow suit.

For Station C:

1. Without seeing the graph, we can't say for sure, but possible events could be a decrease, increase, or stability depending on factors like food availability, presence of predators, etc.
2. Drought is a density - independent limiting factor because it affects the population regardless of its density. It is a natural event that impacts all individuals in an area, not influenced by how many individuals are present.
3. The frog population may begin to recover after a drought due to increased water availability, more food sources becoming available as the ecosystem rebounds, etc. Factors that might prevent it from immediately returning to its original size include lingering effects of the drought on the food chain, presence of predators that may have increased during the drought, or damage to breeding habitats.

Answer:

1. If the population increases rapidly without much restraint in the first 15 years, it is exponential growth.
2. Look for the leveling - off point on the graph to estimate the carrying capacity.
3. Competition for resources, predation.

For Station B:

1. The population that lags in peaks and troughs behind the other is the predator. The one that rises first is the prey, as predators rely on prey for food.
2. Because ladybugs eat aphids and need the aphid population to grow first to have enough food to increase their own numbers.
3. The aphid population will drop sharply, and the ladybug population will decrease in the short - term due to lack of food, but may recover as aphids reproduce.

For Station C:

1. Varies depending on the graph (decrease, increase, or stability).
2. Drought is density - independent as it affects the population regardless of its size.
3. Recovery may be due to increased water and food. Factors preventing immediate return include lingering drought effects on the food chain, predators, and damaged habitats.