Squirrel Lab
Problem: How does competition between native Red squirrels and invasive Gray squirrels affect population size?
Hypothesis: The Red squirrels will be out populated and eventually die.
Hypothesis: The Red squirrels will be out populated and eventually die.
Conclusion
From the chart and graph, I can conclude that my hypothesis was correct. The Red Squirrels did get overpopulated by the faster, stronger and bigger Gray Squirrels and died out.
Conclusion Questions
1. When was it easiest for the red squirrels to find resources? Hardest?
The red squirrels could find resources the easiest during the first part of the experiment, when the invasive species had not yet been introduced into the ecosystem. It's harder if there are more predators or more competition.
2. When do organisms in the same population compete for resources?
When there are two or more species in the same niche, there will always be competition, especially for resources.
3. How are resources affected by competition?
The more competition there is, the more resources will be eaten.
4. To avoid extinction from competition, how would the natives squirrel’s niche need to change?
The natives would either have to find a new niche, move to a different area, or die out completely.
The red squirrels could find resources the easiest during the first part of the experiment, when the invasive species had not yet been introduced into the ecosystem. It's harder if there are more predators or more competition.
2. When do organisms in the same population compete for resources?
When there are two or more species in the same niche, there will always be competition, especially for resources.
3. How are resources affected by competition?
The more competition there is, the more resources will be eaten.
4. To avoid extinction from competition, how would the natives squirrel’s niche need to change?
The natives would either have to find a new niche, move to a different area, or die out completely.
C.E.R.
Claim:
The Red squirrel's population dwindled to nothing, while the Gray squirrels thrived.
Evidence:
There were an average of 125 Red squirrels for the first 7 years. At year 8, 6 Gray squirrels were introduced into the area. At year 11, the Gray squirrels outnumber them 44 to 1. By year 12, there were 178 Gray squirrels and no more Red squirrels.
Reasoning:
Because of the Gray squirrels advantage in size, strength and speed, they were able to obtain the resources before the Red squirrels. Because the Red squirrels could not get enough food, water, and shelter, they to died out in the area.
The Red squirrel's population dwindled to nothing, while the Gray squirrels thrived.
Evidence:
There were an average of 125 Red squirrels for the first 7 years. At year 8, 6 Gray squirrels were introduced into the area. At year 11, the Gray squirrels outnumber them 44 to 1. By year 12, there were 178 Gray squirrels and no more Red squirrels.
Reasoning:
Because of the Gray squirrels advantage in size, strength and speed, they were able to obtain the resources before the Red squirrels. Because the Red squirrels could not get enough food, water, and shelter, they to died out in the area.