4.03 Ecosystems

Lab Report for Population Dynamics Lab

Population Dynamics Lab Report

As you complete each slide of the Population Dynamics Virtual Lab Activity, Please fill in this lab report with the appropriate information and data.

Purpose: List the purpose for the lab here.

Analyze graphs to determine the population size of two marine species.

Explain how predation, birth, and death rates impact marine populations.

Describe how biotic and abiotic factors influence marine populations.

Research: List the variable descriptions for the lab here.

Prey Initial Size: The beginning or starting number of a prey.

Prey Growth Rate: The birth rate of the prey. The Larger the growth rate, the faster the prey population will increase.

Predator Initial Size: The beginning or starting number of predators.

Predator Death Rate: The death rate of the predators. A larger death rate means predators will die out quicker.

Capture Efficiency : This Number represents th

Hypothesis: List your predictions for the lab here.

Prediction 1: If the starting population of the prey is higher than the predators, the carrying capacity of the seals will be lower than the carrying capacity of the whales.Prediction 2: If the starting population of the predators is higher than the prey, the carrying capacity of the whales will be higher than the carrying capacity of the seals.Prediction 3: If the prey growth rate increases, the carrying capacity of the seals will be lower than the carrying capacity of the whales. (Both starting populations set to 25.)Prediction 4: If the death rate of the whales increases, the carrying capacity of the seals will be

lower than the carrying capacity of the whales. (Both starting populations set to 25.).

Materials:

1. The Population Dynamics Virtual Lab Activity2. Population Dynamics Lab Report

Procedures:

The procedures are listed in Population Dynamics Virtual Lab Activity. You do not need to include them here.

Data and Observations

Table 1: Predation and carrying capacity

Starting seal population

Starting whale population

Highest seal population

Highest whale population

Trial 1

25 25 45 52

Trial 2

25 25 45 52

Trial 3

25 25 45 52

Table 2: Growth Rate and Capture Efficiency

Seal Birth Rate

Whale Birth Rate

Highest seal population

Highest whale population

Trial 1 0.05 0.005 49 53

Trial 2 0.05 0.005 55 75

Table 3: Death Rate and Capture Efficiency

Whale death rate

Whale Capture efficiency

Highest seal population

Highest whale population

Trial 1

0.05 0.005 49 53

Trial 2

0.05 0.005 55 75

Analysis and Conclusion:

Be sure to answer the following reflection questions in the conclusion of your lab report:

1. Using table 1, which of the three trials produced the highest population for both the whales and the seals? Why do you think this trial had the best outcome for the whale and seal populations?

There is a gain in seal population produced the highest capacity for both whales and the seals because if there is more seals that means there is more food for the whales.

2. Using Table 2 and 3, Explain how the birth rates of the seals and the death rates of the whale affected the population for both whales and seals.

Both of them depend on each other. If the birth rate of the seal goes up, the whales have more benefits. If the death rate of the whale increases or goes up, the seal will have more benefits more than the whales.

3. Climate change (an abiotic factor) has slowly decreased habitat for the arctic seals. Predict how a reduction in habitat could change the capture efficiency of the killer whales. How would this affect

the carrying capacities for both the whales and the seals?When seal’s habitat declines with the whale’s population, the population of the whales will increase. The whales will have better capture efficiency, the more they capture the less the seals will decrease. They will negatively affect the whales and the seals over time.

4. If another source of prey were available to the whales, what changes in population size would you expect for the seals and the whales?I think both the whale and the whales would increase on population.

5. In this lesson, you learned about two patterns of population growth and decline, the sigmoid and peak phenomena. Does the seal and killer whale relationship represent a sigmoid or peak phenomenon? Please provide supporting details.A sigmoid because the graph shows the pattern of both the whale and seals populations.

6. What are the limitations of the population dynamics lab? Is the lab activity a realistic representation of an

arctic marine ecosystem? Note: Please provide detailed support for your opinion.

The limitations on this lab are based on nature. I think this lab activity is a realistic because I get to visualize what happens.