Question

the graph shows the changing populations of wolves and moose in isle royale national park. wolves are predators, and moose are their prey. which of the following pairs of populations is most likely to increase and decrease in a similar pattern to the wolves and moose? male wolves and female wolves moose and the beneficial bacteria that live in the digestive tracts of moose very old wolves and young wolf pups moose and balsam fir, which are the favorite food plants of moose

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze predator - prey relationship

In a predator - prey system like wolves and moose, when the moose population increases, there is more food for wolves. So, the wolf population will increase as a result of more available resources. Then, as the wolf population grows, they will hunt more moose, causing the moose population to decrease. After the moose population decreases, there is less food for wolves, and the wolf population will start to decline. Then, with fewer wolves, the moose population can start to increase again, and the cycle repeats. Moose and balsam fir are related in that moose eat balsam fir. If the moose population changes, it can affect the balsam fir population, but this does not directly impact the wolf - moose predator - prey cycle in the same way as the predator - prey interaction between wolves and moose themselves. Very old wolves and young wolf pups are parts of the wolf population but do not explain the overall increase - decrease pattern of the two populations. Male and female wolves are just components of the wolf population and do not account for the cyclical change. Moose and the beneficial bacteria in their digestive tracts are a symbiotic relationship within the moose and not related to the predator - prey cycle between wolves and moose.

Answer:

Moose and balsam fir, which are the favorite food plants of moose.