DATA TABLE: ECOLOGY
LESSON 1
Lesson 1:
Step 1
Prediction: starting population
Plant A Plant B
Prediction: ending population
Both plants’ populations will start at equivalent numbers.
Both plant’s will reach equilibrium at the same time, unless one is dominant. Then the dominant plant’s ending population will optimize, while the other plant will die out.
6,000 3,500
10,000 0
Starting population
Ending population
Lesson 1:
Step 2
Prediction: starting population
Plant A Plant B Herbivore A
Prediction: ending population
Starting population
Will continue to prosper, but it’s ending population will be lower than that in step 1.
Lower than that in part
1
5,256
Will have more of a chance of surviving for a longer period of time.
Higher than in part 1.
Higher than plant A.
3,700
Will grow with plant A
Will grow as plant A decreases.
1,312
Ending population
Responses to questions



3,335 4,998 2,055
What assumptions does this model make about co-dominance as well as the general terrain of the ecosystem? That the more dominant species will prosper the most due to competition. The terrain’s conditions are suitable for only one plant to prosper.
Do you find one producer to be dominant? Why might one producer be dominant over another? – Plant A was dominant over Plants B and C. Plant A was most suited for the terrain.
How do producer population numbers with the presence of an herbivore compare to the primary colonizer model? – The population will be lesser

DATA TABLE: ECOLOGY
LESSON 2
Lesson 2:
Step 1
(X,

, or

)
Prediction
Simulation 1
Simulation 2
Plant A



Herbivore A



Omnivore A



Top Predator



Lesson 2:
Step 2
(X,

, or

)
Plant
A
Plant
B
Plant
C
Herbivore
A
Herbivore
B
Herbivore
C
Omnivore
A
Omnivore
B
Top
Predator
Prediction
Simulation 1
Simulation 2



X



X x x









 x x x
 x x




Modifications made x x x x x
Responses to questions
1.
Was your prediction correct? How did you arrive at your prediction? What differences were there between your prediction and the simulation? My prediction was correct for plant A. If Plant A is the only plant species being eaten, then its numbers would decrese over time. Herbivore A’s population increased, while Omnivore A an the Top Predator’s numbers increase and decreased over 200 units of time.
2.
What would happen to this imaginary ecosystem if the producers were to die out? The other species would die out.
3.
Did any of the species increase in number? What could account for this increase? Which species decreased in number and what might account for this decrease? Herbivore A increased due to Plant A’s dominance, and the Top Predator increased. Omnivore A decreased because Plant A decreased.
4.
Which populations would benefit the most from the presence of decomposers? Herbivores
5.
Was your prediction correct? How did you arrive at your prediction? What differences were there between your prediction and the simulation? No.
6.
Were you able to modify the parameters so that each species survived? Explain how you decided what changes to make. No.
7.
Which way does energy flow and how does eating an organism result in energy transfer? Energy flows from the producers up towards the top predator.