Question

national park from 1996 to 2023.
yellowstone national park wolf population
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.
complete the paragraph using information from the graph.
during 2008, when temperatures were colder than average, the wolf population size
. during 2009, when the fall and winter were exceptionally cold, the wolf
increased . extreme temperature was limiting factor
decreased pulation.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze 2008 wolf population

From the graph, in 2008, the wolf population is at a high point (around 175). So compared to previous or next, in 2008, the population "increased" (or check the trend: before 2008, it was rising, in 2008 it's peak, then 2009 drops). Wait, the first blank: during 2008, temperature colder, wolf population size? Let's see the graph: 2006 - 2008: from ~120 to ~175, so 2008 is a peak. Then 2009: drops from ~175 to ~100? Wait, no, the graph: 2008 is a peak, then 2009 (next year) the population decreases. So first blank: "increased" (since 2008 is higher than before). Second blank: 2009, cold fall/winter, wolf population "decreased" (since 2008 to 2009, the line drops). Third blank: extreme temperature was a limiting factor? A limiting factor restricts population. Since cold caused decrease, so it was a "limiting factor" (so the third blank: "a" (since "limiting factor" is singular, so "a" limiting factor). Wait, the options: first dropdown: increased/decreased. Second dropdown: increased/decreased. Third: a/not a.

Wait, let's re-express:

1. 2008: temperature colder, wolf population size: from the graph, 2007 (or 2006) to 2008: the population goes up (from ~120 to ~175), so "increased".

1. 2009: cold fall/winter, wolf population: from 2008 (175) to 2009 (around 100), so "decreased".

1. Extreme temperature was a limiting factor: since temperature affected the population (caused decrease in 2009, or in 2008? Wait, 2008 was cold but population increased? Maybe the limiting factor is when it restricts growth. Wait, maybe the third blank: "a" because extreme temperature limited the population (even though 2008 increased, maybe 2009's decrease is due to cold, so temperature is a limiting factor).

So:

First blank: increased

Second blank: decreased

Third blank: a

Step2: Confirm each part

• 2008: graph shows population at peak (higher than surrounding years), so "increased".

• 2009: population drops from 2008's peak, so "decreased".

• Extreme temperature: since it caused the population to decrease in 2009 (or limited growth), so it's "a" limiting factor.

Answer:

First blank: increased
Second blank: decreased
Third blank: a

(Assuming the dropdown options are: first: increased/decreased; second: increased/decreased; third: a/not a. So the answers are: increased, decreased, a)