Question

unit 1: ecosystems

1. the image below shows a food web at petrified forest national park. based on the information in the diagram, identify the type of relationship between the deer and the mountain lion.
2. identify one food chain of at least three organisms in petrified forest national park.
3. the graph to the right shows average temperature and precipitation near petrified forest national park from 1931 - 2012. describe how the previous food web would likely be impacted if rainfall from june through october was less than half an inch a month.

source: nps
period of record: 1931 - 2012 (81 years) at grants, new mexico, near petrified forest np (pefo)
elevation: 1661 m / 5449 ft
average temperature: 12.7 °c / 54.8 °f
average precipitation: 200 mm / 7.9 in
source: nps

Explanation:

1. In a food - web, a mountain lion preys on deer, so it's a predator - prey relationship.
2. A food chain shows the flow of energy from one organism to another. For example, plants are eaten by herbivores which are then eaten by carnivores.
3. Reduced rainfall from June - October would lead to less plant growth. Herbivores that rely on plants would have less food, which in turn would affect the carnivores that prey on them.

Answer:

1. Predator - prey relationship.
2. Plant → Squirrel → Mountain Lion (answers may vary).
3. Less plant growth would lead to a decrease in herbivore populations, which would then cause a decrease in carnivore populations due to less food availability.