​Building
a Dam!
Standard BIO.1.1: Plan and carry out an investigation​ to ​analyze and interpret data​ to
determine how biotic and abiotic factors can affect the ​stability and change​ of a population.
Emphasize stability and change in populations’ carrying capacities and an ecosystem’s
biodiversity. (LS2.A, LS2.C)
Independent variable:​ Amount of water
Dependent variable: ​Number of different sized-rabbits
Inquiry question:​ How does the amount of water affect the population of different sized
rabbits?
Directions for ​Simulation
● Use the Grass button to plant grass.
● Use the Rabbit button to place rabbits on the field.
● Click the Play button and then immediately build a dam.
● Observe and record the changes in the number of grass and rabbits of different sizes over
time. To collect the data, click the Stop button at the beginning of each year.
● Run your experiment. Collect data at the beginning of each year, and record the results in
the Result Table. Run your investigation twice.
● Take the average of the two experiments and graph them.
○ Click on the image of the graph and then click edit. This will allow you to draw
on the graph.
○ Make sure that the colors of your graph match the key at the bottom of the graph.
Data Collection
Top Half of the Field
Time
(Years)
Rabbit Size
Small
Medium
Plant Size
Large
Small
Medium
Large
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Bottom Half of the Field
Time
(Years)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rabbit Size
Small
Medium
Plant Size
Large
Small
Medium
Large
Top Half of Field​
Bottom Half of Field​
What pattern can you find from the data?
What claim can you make about the effect of the amount of water on the plant and rabbit
population? What evidence do you have that supports your claim? What is your reasoning?
(Answer in a five to seven sentence paragraph)