Question

The graph below shows the relationship between number of herbivores and carnivores in a park.

1. Identify the curve representing the herbivores. Give a reason for your answer.
2. Suggest a reason for the slope of graph x between points A and B. 
3.  
   1. Name the relationship between the two types of organisms as portrayed by the graph.
   2. State the significance of the relationship you have stated in (3)(1) above. (
4. Describe the long term effect on the parks ecosystem if the species of the carnivores were to become extinct. 

Answer 1

1. Y 
   • it starts with a higher population than x, the predator;
2. the number /pop. of predators dropped due to increased competition for food ;due to decrease in number of prey
3.  
   1. Prey –predator/predation;
   2. helps to maintain the population of both prey and predators at the carrying capacity of habitat; weak organisms are removed from both populations ;(by natural selection) 
4.  
   • Pop. of herbivores would increase due to reduced predation;
   • Most of the vegetarian would be eaten by the herbivores resulting in soil erosion;
   • Eventually the pop. of herbivores would fall due to death or migration due to competition for food.