Question

1. this graph shows the beginning-of-year population counts for wolves in yellowstone national park from 1996 to 2023. yellowstone national park wolf population 175 150 125 number of wolves 100 75 50 25 1996 1999 2002 2005 2008 2011 2014 2017 2020 2023 year 1) in 2008, yellowstone national park was colder than average for most of the year, including a very cold january and december. the following year, 2009, the park had a very cold fall and an exceptionally cold december. 1) complete the paragraph using information from the graph. 1) the wolf population size during 2008, when temperatures were colder than average, and during 2009, when the fall and winter were exceptionally cold. extreme temperature was and a limiting factor for the wolf population.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze 2008 population trend

From the graph, in 2008 (around the 2008 year mark), the wolf population curve is decreasing. So the first blank: "decreased".

Step2: Analyze 2009 population trend

In 2009 (next year after 2008), the curve continues to decrease (from 2008's value to 2009's lower value). So the second blank: "decreased".

Step3: Determine limiting factor type

Extreme temperature (cold) is an abiotic factor (non - living component) and a density - independent limiting factor (affects population regardless of its density). So third blank: "abiotic" (or "density - independent"), fourth blank: "density - independent" (or "abiotic").

Answer:

The wolf population size $\boldsymbol{\text{decreased}}$ during 2008, when temperatures were colder than average, and $\boldsymbol{\text{decreased}}$ during 2009, when the fall and winter were exceptionally cold. Extreme temperature was $\boldsymbol{\text{abiotic}}$ (or $\boldsymbol{\text{density - independent}}$) and a $\boldsymbol{\text{density - independent}}$ (or $\boldsymbol{\text{abiotic}}$) limiting factor for the wolf population.