Q6.1. What is the carrying capacity for moose in the simulation model of Isle Royale, prior to any changes in the climate?
Q6.2. Suppose the rate of plant growth on Isle Royale supported an equilibrium moose population of 800 moose. In this scenario, there are no wolves present, and the environment is stable. One day, 200 additional moose arrive on the island. What would you predict the moose population size to be 30 years later? (Enter your answer as a number.)
Q6.3. Imagine two new volcanic islands spring up in the middle of the ocean. Each island is quickly founded by a few individuals of a species of ground-nesting bird that requires very dry land (with little rain) to thrive. The two islands differ in rainfall, one wetter and one drier. Assuming that rainfall determines carrying capacity for these birds, and that rainfall is consistent over time, what might the growth curves for the bird populations look like over many years for the two islands?
Q6.4. The graphs below depict hypothesized population dynamics (population size, N, vs. time) for a predator-prey system. Based on what you've learned in this tutorial by investigating moose and wolf population cycles, which graph best represents a predator-prey system, and which curve (blue or red) describes dynamics for the predator species?
Q6.5. What does the carrying capacity for moose on the island primarily depend on?
Q6.6. How does the average fat stores for moose when there are no wolves on Isle Royale compare to average fat stores when there are many wolves?
Q6.7. How will the population of birds change over the first few years?
Q6.8. Imagine that after the birds have been living in the city for many years a second big flock of birds arrives. How will the bird population size change in the 10 to 20 years after the extra birds arrive? Choose the graph that best represents how the city's bird population should change over time. (Note: there are still no predators of these birds in the city.)
Q6.9. Which graph below best displays the data to answer the researcher's question?
Q6.10. Which of the following is the best explanation for why extinctions are more likely with longer growing seasons in this simulation of Isle Royale?
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