Embedded Files
Figure 1. The environmental scientist had been monitoring the number of small mammal hosts, acorns and ticks for eight years. Her data are below:
Figure 1. The environmental scientist had been monitoring the number of small mammal hosts, acorns and ticks for eight years. Her data are below:
6. Figure 1 above gives you a timeline that will help make sense of events in this ecosystem. Read the graph above, and use your digital lab notebook (part 4) to:
6. Figure 1 above gives you a timeline that will help make sense of events in this ecosystem. Read the graph above, and use your digital lab notebook (part 4) to:
- Place a letter A in the box on the timeline corresponding to each year there was a peak in the number of acorns.
- Place a letter C in the box on the timeline corresponding to each year there was a peak in the number of chipmunks.
- Place a letter T in the box on the timeline corresponding to each year there was a peak in the number of immature ticks.
Click HERE to view questions 7-12
Click HERE to view questions 7-12
7. Describe how the pattern of peaks in the chipmunk population compares to the pattern of peaks in the acorn population.
7. Describe how the pattern of peaks in the chipmunk population compares to the pattern of peaks in the acorn population.
8. Provide an explanation for this pattern.
8. Provide an explanation for this pattern.
9. Describe how the pattern of peaks in the chipmunk population compares to the pattern of peaks in the tick population.
9. Describe how the pattern of peaks in the chipmunk population compares to the pattern of peaks in the tick population.
10. Provide an explanation for this pattern.
10. Provide an explanation for this pattern.
11. In what 2 years would you expect to see an increase in tick borne diseases? Why?
11. In what 2 years would you expect to see an increase in tick borne diseases? Why?
12. Assume that 2001 is a peak in the acorn population. What year, following this peak would you warn people about a potential increase in tick-borne diseases? Why?
12. Assume that 2001 is a peak in the acorn population. What year, following this peak would you warn people about a potential increase in tick-borne diseases? Why?
Apex Predators
Apex Predators
The environmental scientist explained that increasing the number and kinds of small mammal predators is important in controlling the transmission of tick-borne diseases. She said that some environmental scientists think that the key to controlling the number of ticks is the size of the population of apex predators such as coyotes and other animals at the top of the food chain.
Click HERE to view questions 13-15, then click Next Page
Click HERE to view questions 13-15, then click Next Page
13. Would environmental scientists worried about tick borne diseases recommend an increase or a decrease in the population of apex predators?
13. Would environmental scientists worried about tick borne diseases recommend an increase or a decrease in the population of apex predators?
14. Explain why environmental scientists would make this recommendation.
14. Explain why environmental scientists would make this recommendation.
15. Provide at least two actions an environmental scientist might suggest to decrease the number of tick-borne diseases that are transmitted to humans, based on the complex interactions in this ecosystem.
15. Provide at least two actions an environmental scientist might suggest to decrease the number of tick-borne diseases that are transmitted to humans, based on the complex interactions in this ecosystem.
Google Sites
Report abuse