Question

In nature, animal populations are dynamic. This means they are changing due to various circumstances. The population of rabbits in certain areas of the world are affected by the population of foxes, for example. Using reasoning, which model shows the relationship between the two populations?

Answer 1

Answer:

The model representing this relationship is : Prey-Predator Relationship.

Explanation:

• In a prey-predator relationship, the population size of each, prey and predator is affected by the population of the other.
• This is distinctly observed when the predator has a preference for a particular prey.
• In the given example, the rabbits are the prey and the foxes are the predators.
• Increase in the population of the rabbits will make them easily accessible to the foxes, that on hunt them for their food.
• On obtaining sufficient food the foxes can reproduce well and will produce more offspring, so the population size of the foxes would also increase.
• After some time, the continued hunting of the rabbits will cause its death rate to increase more than its birth rate. This will result in the decline in the rabbit population.
• The reduced rabbit population would reduce the chances of them being accessed and hunted by the foxes.
• Due to decrease in food availability, the foxes reduce their reproduction rate, as a result the fox population gradually decreases.
• This is followed by an increase in rabbit population.
• This cycle continues.