Question

1. the graph below shows the population of one pack of wild dogs in kruger national park in south africa, where the dogs have been protected and studied.

size of wild dog pack over 3 years
figure 2. wild dogs pack size over three years. illustrations created by openscied in biorender, data source: mills m. g. (1993). social systems and behaviour of the african wild dog lycaon pictus and the spotted hyaena crocuta crocuta with special reference to rabies. the onderstepoort journal of veterinary research, 60(4), 405–409.
a) how does this graph compare to the graph you drew in your response to question 1?
b) what are the likely reasons for the ups and downs in the population at some times of the year?
c) do you have enough information to know whether or not this wild dog pack is at carrying capacity in kruger national park. why or why not?

Explanation:

Part (a)

To answer this, we need to compare the given graph (wild dog pack size over 3 years) with the graph from question 1 (not provided here). However, typically, such a comparison would look at trends (e.g., fluctuations, peaks/troughs, time scale, variable measured). If question 1’s graph was, say, a model or another population graph, we’d check if both have similar cyclic patterns, different scales, or variable types (e.g., number of dogs vs. another species). Since the given graph has irregular peaks (e.g., around Jul 1990, Jul 1991, Jul 1992) and troughs (e.g., Apr 1990, Jan 1992), we’d contrast with question 1’s graph’s shape, axis labels, and data trends.

Population ups/downs in wild dogs can relate to: 1) Resource availability: Prey (e.g., antelope) populations—more prey means more dogs can survive/reproduce. 2) Disease: Rabies (from the data source) or other illnesses can kill dogs, dropping numbers. 3) Reproduction: Litters born (peaks in summer? Jul is peak here, maybe breeding season). 4) Competition/Predation: Hyenas (from source) or other predators competing for food or killing dogs. 5) Human intervention: Protection (since they’re studied/protected) might boost numbers, but if protection lessens, numbers drop. 6) Environmental factors: Drought/flood affecting prey or habitat.

Carrying capacity (\(K\)) is the maximum population an environment can sustainably support, considering resources (food, water, space), predators, disease, etc. To know \(K\) for this pack, we need: 1) Kruger’s wild dog habitat capacity: Total resources (prey, territory) for wild dogs. 2) Long - term data: The graph is 3 years—too short to see if the pack stabilizes at a maximum (since \(K\) is a sustainable limit, not just a peak). 3) Other packs’ data: If other packs in Kruger have similar peaks, maybe \(K\) is around 25 - 30, but we don’t know if this pack’s peaks are limited by \(K\) or temporary (e.g., disease recovery). Without knowing the park’s total carrying capacity for wild dogs (how many can live there overall) and long - term population trends (does the pack’s peak stay below a consistent \(K\)?), we lack info.

Answer:

(Depends on Question 1’s graph. Example: If Question 1’s graph was a smooth population curve, this graph has more abrupt fluctuations. If it was a similar wild dog graph, trends might align in cyclic peaks/valleys.)

Part (b)