Question

fill in table to describe what happens to each population as a result of the cane toad introduction. table columns: population (sugar cane beetle, cane toad, kookaburra birds, snakes, dogs), effect on population, why?; dogs row has “decrease” and partial “the toad was pois...”

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the ecological impacts of cane toads on each population:

Sugar Cane Beetle

• Effect on Population: Decrease
• Why?: Cane toads were introduced to control sugar cane beetles (their prey), so predation reduces beetle numbers.

Cane Toad

• Effect on Population: Increase
• Why?: No natural predators (initially) and ample prey (beetles) allow exponential growth.

Kookaburra Birds

• Effect on Population: Decrease
• Why?: Kookaburras may eat cane toads, but cane toads are toxic. This poisoning reduces kookaburra populations.

Snakes

• Effect on Population: Decrease
• Why?: Snakes that prey on toads are poisoned by cane toad toxins, leading to population decline.

Dogs

• Effect on Population: Decrease
• Why?: Dogs may attempt to eat cane toads and are poisoned by their toxins, reducing dog populations (in areas with toads).

Population	Effect on Population	Why?
Cane Toad	Increase	No natural predators (early) + abundant food (beetles) = growth.
Kookaburra birds	Decrease	Eat toxic cane toads → poisoning reduces their numbers.
Snakes	Decrease	Predate on toads → poisoned by toad toxins.
Dogs	Decrease	May eat toads → poisoned by toad toxins (in toad - inhabited areas).

Answer:

To solve this, we analyze the ecological impacts of cane toads on each population:

Sugar Cane Beetle

• Effect on Population: Decrease
• Why?: Cane toads were introduced to control sugar cane beetles (their prey), so predation reduces beetle numbers.

Cane Toad

• Effect on Population: Increase
• Why?: No natural predators (initially) and ample prey (beetles) allow exponential growth.

Kookaburra Birds

• Effect on Population: Decrease
• Why?: Kookaburras may eat cane toads, but cane toads are toxic. This poisoning reduces kookaburra populations.

Snakes

• Effect on Population: Decrease
• Why?: Snakes that prey on toads are poisoned by cane toad toxins, leading to population decline.

Dogs

• Effect on Population: Decrease
• Why?: Dogs may attempt to eat cane toads and are poisoned by their toxins, reducing dog populations (in areas with toads).

Population	Effect on Population	Why?
Cane Toad	Increase	No natural predators (early) + abundant food (beetles) = growth.
Kookaburra birds	Decrease	Eat toxic cane toads → poisoning reduces their numbers.
Snakes	Decrease	Predate on toads → poisoned by toad toxins.
Dogs	Decrease	May eat toads → poisoned by toad toxins (in toad - inhabited areas).