Question

an entomologist is studying the population of an invasive insect species in the northeastern united states. she notices that the population increases in the spring, levels off during the summer, and then decreases in the fall. which graph could show the population of the invasive insect species in the northeastern united states from the spring to the fall?

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze spring population change

The population increases in spring, so the graph should have a positive - sloped section at the start.

Step2: Analyze summer population change

The population levels off in summer, so the graph should have a horizontal section (slope = 0).

Step3: Analyze fall population change

The population decreases in fall, so the graph should have a negative - sloped section at the end.

Answer:

The graph that starts low, increases (going up - slope is positive), then has a flat - horizontal section (slope is 0) and then decreases (going down - slope is negative) as time progresses from spring to fall. Looking at the options, the second graph from the top right meets these criteria.