Question

questions 1 through 3 refer to the following.
figure 1 shows the population sizes for the moose population and the wolf population on isle royale.
population of wolves and moose
on isle royale, 1955-2005
1
mark for review
which of the following claims is best supported by the data in the graph for the population of wolves
between 1975 and 1985?
a
the population declined following depletion of food resources after a
population overshoot.
b
the population reached its carrying capacity in 1980 because there was
abundant prey.
c
the population increased exponentially when a new predator species was
introduced to the island.
d
the population declined slightly and then returned to its carrying capacity
following the outbreak of a disease.

Explanation:

Looking at the graph for wolves between 1975 - 1985:

• Option A: No indication of food depletion - overshoot is not shown.
• Option B: Carrying capacity not reached (graph shows fluctuations, not a stable - at - capacity level).
• Option C: No new predator introduction (graph is about wolf - moose interaction, no new species).
• Option D: The wolf population shows a pattern that could be due to a disease outbreak (decline and then some recovery, similar to how populations might respond to a density - dependent factor like disease).

Answer:

D. The population declined slightly and then returned to its carrying capacity following the outbreak of a disease.