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Dec 6, 2023
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11/8/23, 4:45 PM
AP Environmental Science
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AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
:
BIODIVERSITY AND POPULATIONS
:
02.06
POPULATION GROWTH
Assessment
Population growth is limited by abiotic and biotic factors, such as habitat, food, water, temperature,
presence of an invasive species, or ecological relationships within a community. There is a limited and
finite amount of resources in an ecosystem. When resources are abundant, the populations flourish; when
resources are scare, the populations shrink. An unequal amount of resources goes to a small part of the
population, resulting in death or decreased reproduction. The populations eventually fall below carrying
capacity, and the cycle slowly begins again.
For this lesson’s science skills, you practiced making predictions, explaining trends, and supporting
conclusions using data related to environmental issues or solutions. You also practiced mathematical
calculations in order to make predictions, examine data, and explain population phenomena.
Population Growth Activity
A major theme of AP Environmental Science is the interconnectedness of all life forms.
In a closed system, a cycle develops, with population sizes increasing and decreasing
over time. The maximum and minimum size of each population, as well as the time
frame over which the populations increase and decrease, depend on various
parameters such as the prey growth rate, the predator death rate, and how difficult it is
for the predator to capture the prey. This lab activity will allow us to investigate the
relationship between predator and prey and how a change in a particular parameter
can lead to changes in the population growth cycle.
Introduction
Killer whales and seals have a predator-prey relationship. Killer whales are predators
and hunt the seals, their prey, for food. Due to their relationship, the killer whale and
seal populations are interconnected; one population limits the growth of the other. In
addition to predation, due to competition for resources, seals also die from starvation.
After observation and tracking both populations, marine biologists studying an Arctic
bay count five killer whales and 100 seals during their first visit. They study the whale
and seal populations for another ten years and record this data. During the study, the
11/8/23, 4:45 PM
AP Environmental Science
https://edenpr.schoology.com/external_tool/2790779015/launch
2/4
scientists note the fish population, a food source for seals, was steady and did not
fluctuate during the time of the study.
Download the
Population Growth Report
to analyze the seal and whale population
data from the study.
Population Growth Grading Rubric
Master
Scientist
Skilled
Scientist
Developing
Scientist
Novice
Scientist
Hypothesis
3 points
The
hypothesis
predicts and
clearly
explains
how
the variables
of the
experiment
are related.
2 points
The
hypothesis
predicts and
attempts to
explain
how
the variables
of the
experiment
are related.
1 point
The
hypothesis
makes a
prediction but
does not
explain
how
the variables
of the
experiment
are related.
0 points
The report
does not
include a
hypothesis.
Data
Tables
10 points
Data tables
are
complete
with
accurate
values.
9–6 points
Data tables
are
missing
some
values
or have
few
errors
.
5–1 points
Data tables
are
missing
many
values
or have
several
errors
.
0 points
The report
does not
include
data tables.
Graph
12 points
The graph
contains
all
key features
for
both
populations,
is
accurate
,
and has
correct
label
for carrying
capacity.
11–8 points
The graph is
missing
some
components
or has a
few
errors
.
7–1 points
The graph is
missing
several
components
or has
many
errors
.
0 points
The report
does not
include a
graph.
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