Predator Prey Population

The graph shows a population of moths from 2008 - 2017. From 2009 - 2012, the number of moths changed from 30 to 325. Which factor could have caused this increase in population?

• Increase in predators

• Increase in disease in moths

• Increase in habitat

• Decrease in food

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Choose all the biotic factors listed. CHOOSE THREE.

• sunlight

• food

• predators

• disease

• water

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Definition of Predator

• animal that is hunted for as food

• animal that hunts other animals for food

As prey population goes up... predator populations go _____________

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As prey population numbers go down, which means a decrease in food for predators... predator population numbers go...

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What happens when the population of prey decreases?

• The population of predator will increase

• The population of predator will increase and then decrease

• The population of predator will not be affected

• The population of predator will decrease shortly after

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How are the populations of predators and prey related?

• If there is not enough prey, the predators will die out

• If there is too much prey, the predators will die out

• If there are not any predators, the prey will die out

• If there are too many predators, the prey will overpopulate

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Select TWO likely effects of a decrease in the snake population

• There would be an increase in rabbits

• There would be a decrease in hawks

• There would be an increase in shrubs

• There would be more competition for the mountain lion

• The insect-eating bird would go extinct

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What would most likely happen to the producers if a new predator was introduced to the ecosystem?

• The population of producers would decrease because the new predator would eat the trees, shrubs, and grass

• The population of producers would increase because the predators would eat herbivores as prey, so there wouldn't be as many to eat the trees, shrubs, and grass

• The population of producers would increase because the herbivores would begin eating the predators instead of the trees, shrubs, and grass

• The herbivores would use the grass, trees, and shrubs to hide from the new predator, so the amount would decrease

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What might happen to the ecosystem if the hunting season was canceled (set to zero days)?

• The producers would overpopulate

• The hunted animal would overpopulate and increase competition

• There would be less competition for food

• The ecosystem would remain balanced

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