Question

population dynamics: predator-prey
an understanding of predator - prey interactions is necessary to explain changes
in the population dynamics in any community. we think of top - level consumers
as predators, when in fact, many animals can be both predators and prey. think of
the lady bugs that dine on aphids in the garden that are later eaten by birds flying
by. this graph shows a long studied predator - prey relationship, the wolf - moose
study of isle royale. notice not only are there changes in the prey, the moose,
which we would expect, but also changes in the predator population. what would
not cause an increase in the mortality rate of the wolf population of isle royale?
a disease
b predation
c lack of prey
d reproduction rate

Explanation:

• Disease (A) can directly kill wolves, increasing mortality.
• Predation (B) on wolves (by other predators, though less common in this context) can increase their mortality.
• Lack of prey (C) leads to starvation (a form of mortality factor) as wolves depend on moose (prey in this case) for food.
• Reproduction rate (D) affects the birth - related aspects of population dynamics. An increase in reproduction rate would lead to more wolf births (affecting natality), not mortality. It is about creating new individuals, not causing death.

Answer:

D. reproduction rate