4 03
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:
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:
Prey Initial Size: The starting number of prey. (Assume that the seals have an unlimited amount of food.)
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 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 the ability of the predator to capture the prey over some time interval. A larger value for this parameter means that the predators have a better chance of capturing prey.
Hypotheses:
Prediction 1: If the starting population of the prey is higher than the predators, the resulting population of the seals will be lower than the population of the whales.
Prediction 2: If the starting population of the predators is higher than the prey, the resulting population of the whales will be lower than the population of the seals.
Prediction 3: If the prey growth rate increases, the resulting population of the seals will be higher than the population of the whales. (Both starting populations set to 25.)
Prediction 4: If the death rate of the whales increases, the resulting population of the seals will be higher than the population of the whales. (Both starting populations set to 25.)
Materials:
1. The Population Dynamics Virtual Lab Activity
2. 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
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:
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:
Prey Initial Size: The starting number of prey. (Assume that the seals have an unlimited amount of food.)
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 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 the ability of the predator to capture the prey over some time interval. A larger value for this parameter means that the predators have a better chance of capturing prey.
Hypotheses:
Prediction 1: If the starting population of the prey is higher than the predators, the resulting population of the seals will be lower than the population of the whales.
Prediction 2: If the starting population of the predators is higher than the prey, the resulting population of the whales will be lower than the population of the seals.
Prediction 3: If the prey growth rate increases, the resulting population of the seals will be higher than the population of the whales. (Both starting populations set to 25.)
Prediction 4: If the death rate of the whales increases, the resulting population of the seals will be higher than the population of the whales. (Both starting populations set to 25.)
Materials:
1. The Population Dynamics Virtual Lab Activity
2. 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