1. Below is a graph representing mutualism. Recall that mutualism is where two organisms
benefit each other. Predict what would happen if one species was hit with a disease and
died.
2. Woodpeckers and squirrels are often fighting for nesting rights. They both need the same
location to build their shelter. A new species of skunks was recently introduced to the
population, and skunks love to eat the squirrels. Because skunks were recently introduced
into the ecosystem, the population of squirrels is decreasing, meaning the woodpecker will
have more room for shelter.
a. What kind of relationship do the woodpeckers and the squirrels have?
b. What kind of relationship does the skunk and the squirrel have?
c. Is the population of woodpeckers increasing or decreasing?
d. Label each line of the graph with “squirrel” or “skunk”
e. What is happening to the prey when the predator is low? Why is this happening?
3. The lion is eating the cheetah, and the cheetah then eats the gazelle. The gazelle is an
herbivore (only eats grass). Draw a food chain to represent this relationship.
4. Draw the arrows for the following food web:
6b. What do you notice about the numbers in the pyramid? Explain what the numbers mean.
7. What would happen if all the hawks were killed by disease? Which animals would be
impacted?
Bonus Question:
Write a CER based on the central question:
“Is biodiversity important?”