Predator-Prey Relationships Worksheet

Predator-Prey Relationships Name: ______________________________
Block: __________
Ecologists gather data about population densities of different organisms in order to understand how these
organisms interact with their environments. The graph in Figure 1 represents a growth curve for the population
of a single species. This type of curve is called a logistic growth curve. From this curve, you can read the
carrying capacity of the population. Carrying capacity is the number of individuals that can be supported in an
environment with the resources available. When the population has reached carrying capacity, the curve will
level off.
1. Time is represented on the __________-axis.
2. The number of individuals is represented on the __________-axis.
3. At which point on the curve (I, II, III) is the population increasing at the fastest rate?_________
4. At which point on the curve (I, II, III) is the population leveling off?______________________
5. At which point on the curve (A or B) has the population reached the carrying capacity or the maximum
population density for its environment? _____________________________________
6. What would happen to the growth curve if the temperature suddenly dropped, a pollutant or a new predator
were introduced, thus making the environment less than ideal for this organism?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Examine the following graphs of populations that have reached their carrying capacity. Remember that the
carrying capacity (K) of any population can be found on the graph of population growth. Carrying capacity has
1
been reached when the logistic population curve levels off.
7. Populations tend to fluctuate over time.
This population growth curve for sheep has
been normalized, which means that a smooth
curve has been drawn to show approximate
carrying capacity. What is the carrying capacity
of the sheep in this environment?
____________________________________
8. A population of daphnia in a pond has the
been shown to have a growth curve like the one to
the right. How long does it take this population
to reach carrying capacity? __________________
What is the carrying capacity of this population?
____________________________________
9. The graph to the right shows the population growth
curve for a population of bacteria in two different
media. Since this is their environment, what is the
difference between the carrying capacity of this population
in Medium 154 and the EpiLife medium? ____________
10. It takes large mammals a greater amount of time to
reach carrying capacity than it does for a population
of small animals or bacteria. What is the carrying
capacity of this deer population in its present
environment? _______________________________
How can a population of deer be kept at or near
in their environment? (Hint: Think of something that
will limit the growth of the deer population.) ____________________________________________
2
In the tundra, where both reindeer and wolves live, the number of reindeer in a herd does not exceed the
carrying capacity of the environment. In 1944, the United States Coast Guard transported 29 reindeer to St.
Matthew Island in the Bering Strait. St. Matthew Island has the typical climate for a tundra, but no wolves lived
there. The graph shown in Figure 2 represents the growth curve for the reindeer population there.
11. What is the increase in the reindeer population increase between 1945 and 1963? ____________
12. What is the decrease in the reindeer population decrease between 1963 and 1966? ___________
13. Did the reindeer exceed the carrying capacity of their environment? _____________________
Explain your answer. ____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
14. Why do you think the population increased so rapidly in less than 20 years?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
15. Why do you think that the population declined so rapidly, from 6000 to 42, in 3 years?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
16. What do you think would have happened if wolves had been brought to the island with the
reindeer? ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3
Predation is not necessarily harmful to the prey population. Predation might act as an important means of keeping
the prey population within the limits of its food supply. The graph shown in Figure 3 represents a theoretical
cycle that evolves in a predator-prey relationship.
17. Read the following lettered descriptions. Use the letters to label the graph in order to show what is
happening to the populations of predators and prey at each point marked on the curve.
a. Prey population rises due to decline in predator population.
b. Predator population rises due to increase in prey population.
c. Prey population falls due to increase in predation.
d. Predator population falls due to decline in prey population.
e. Prey population rises.
18. Could these theoretical growth curves for predators and prey actually represent what happens in nature?
______________________________________________________________________
Explain your answer. ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ _______________

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Predator-Prey Relationships Name: ______________________________

1. Time is represented on the __________-axis.

2. The number of individuals is represented on the __________-axis.

population density for its environment? _____________________________________

7. Populations tend to fluctuate over time.

This population growth curve for sheep has

been normalized, which means that a smooth

curve has been drawn to show approximate

carrying capacity. What is the carrying capacity

of the sheep in this environment?

8. A population of daphnia in a pond has the

been shown to have a growth curve like the one to

the right. How long does it take this population

to reach carrying capacity? __________________

What is the carrying capacity of this population?

9. The graph to the right shows the population growth

curve for a population of bacteria in two different

media. Since this is their environment, what is the

difference between the carrying capacity of this population

in Medium 154 and the EpiLife medium? ____________

10. It takes large mammals a greater amount of time to

reach carrying capacity than it does for a population

of small animals or bacteria. What is the carrying

capacity of this deer population in its present

How can a population of deer be kept at or near

in their environment? (Hint: Think of something that

will limit the growth of the deer population.) ____________________________________________

Explain your answer. ____________________________________________________________

Explain your answer. ___________________________________________________________

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