Producers--
Step 1 Questions:
What assumptions does this model make about co-dominance as well as the general terrain of the ecosystem?
It assumes there is no co-dominance
Do you find one producer to be dominant? Why might one producer be dominant over another?
Plant A is much more dominant over Plant B. There are no more organisms of Plant B's species by 8 steps. Plants A probably made more food than Plant B by being taller to absorb better light.
It assumes there is no co-dominance
Do you find one producer to be dominant? Why might one producer be dominant over another?
Plant A is much more dominant over Plant B. There are no more organisms of Plant B's species by 8 steps. Plants A probably made more food than Plant B by being taller to absorb better light.
Step 2 Questions:
Does adding the herbivore establish a more equal field? Is one producer still dominant over the other? Why might one producer be dominant over another?
Yes it does. Plant B is now dominant over Plant A. If rabbits are eating Plant A, which I assume is taller than Plant B, then Plant B has more exposure to the light and therefore makes more food.
If the simulation included decomposers, how would your current results change?
Yes it does. Plant B is now dominant over Plant A. If rabbits are eating Plant A, which I assume is taller than Plant B, then Plant B has more exposure to the light and therefore makes more food.
If the simulation included decomposers, how would your current results change?
Plant A would be higher in population.
How do producer population numbers with the presence of an herbivore compare to the primary colonizer model?
The rabbit is the top predator. Nthing in the ecosystem could eat it so far.
How do producer population numbers with the presence of an herbivore compare to the primary colonizer model?
The rabbit is the top predator. Nthing in the ecosystem could eat it so far.
Food Web--
Step 1 Questions:
Was your prediction correct? How did you arrive at your prediction? What differences were there between your prediction and the simulation?
No it wasn't. I thought the top predator would become dominant, but it's population did not rise.
What would happen to this imaginary ecosystem if the producers were to die out?
Herbivores, omnivores, and the top predator would be non existent.
Did any of the species increase in number? What could account for this increase? Which species decreased in number and what might account for this decrease?
Rabbits increased in number because there was more Plant A to eat. Plant A decreased in number because it is eaten by the rabbit and omnivore.
Which populations would benefit the most from the presence of decomposers?
Plant A, for it will get more nutrients.
Step 2 Questions:Was your prediction correct? How did you arrive at your prediction? What differences were there between your prediction and the simulation?
I didn't think any species would die out, but Omnivore A and Omnivore B both died out.
Were you able to modify the parameters so that each species survived? Explain how you decided what changes to make.
Were you able to modify the parameters so that each species survived? Explain how you decided what changes to make.
Yes. If the Top Predator didn't eat Herbivore B, then all the species survive.
Which way does energy flow and how does eating an organism result in energy transfer?
Energy flows upward to an organism in another tropic level.
Which way does energy flow and how does eating an organism result in energy transfer?
