p. 102, Analyzing Data #1, 2, 3

p. 102, Analyzing Data #1, 2, 3

1.

Suppose a bacterial infection kills off most of the prey at point B on the graph. How would this affect the predator and prey growth curves at point C? At point D?

1. If most of the prey were killed off at point B, the predator population would decline between points B and C, allowing the prey population to increase again by point C.

2.

Suppose a sudden extended cold spell destroys almost the entire predator population at point F on the graph. How would the next cycle of the prey population appear on the graph?

2. The prey population would increase in the next cycle, reaching a peak that is potentially even higher than the previous peaks.

p. 102, Analyzing Data #1, 2, 3

3.

Suppose a viral infection kills all the prey at point D on the graph. What effect would this have on the predator and prey growth curves at point E? What will happen in future years to the predator population? How could ecologists ensure the continued survival of the predators in this ecosystem?

3. If a viral infection kills all the prey at point D, at point E, the prey population will be zero and the predator population would be decreased, possibly to zero. In future years, if the predators find another food resource, the population may recover. The predator population would not recover in future years without any prey to feed on. To ensure continued survival of the predators in this ecosystem, ecologists could control the viral infection in the prey so that not all of them are killed by the virus, or they could introduce new prey animals to the ecosystem.