Evaluating Predation Pressure
Evaluating predation pressure involves analyzing whether a decrease in predator populations could explain an increase in prey populations by reducing the number of deaths in the prey species. In Amplify Science (California) Grade 7, Chapter 2: Energy and Changes to Populations, students apply population dynamics reasoning to investigate why Moon Jelly populations exploded in the Glacier Sea.
Key Concepts
Did the Moon Jellies increase because fewer were being eaten? Hypothesis 2 suggests a decrease in sea turtles (predators).
A smaller predator population would cause a decrease in deaths for the jelly population. If deaths drop while births remain steady, the population will grow.
Common Questions
How does predation pressure affect population size?
Predation pressure refers to the rate at which predators kill prey. A decrease in predator numbers reduces predation pressure, meaning fewer prey are killed. If deaths drop while births stay constant, the prey population grows.
What happens to a prey population when its predators decrease?
When predators decrease, fewer prey are eaten, reducing the death rate of the prey population. If births remain steady, the prey population will grow because births now exceed deaths.
What is the moon jelly population example in Grade 7 science?
In Amplify Science (California) Grade 7, students investigate why Moon Jelly populations exploded in the Glacier Sea. One hypothesis is that a decline in sea turtles (a predator) reduced predation pressure, allowing more Moon Jellies to survive.
Where is predation pressure covered in Amplify Science Grade 7?
Evaluating predation pressure is covered in Amplify Science (California) Grade 7, Chapter 2: Energy and Changes to Populations.