Squirrel Population Over Time
Problem: How does competition between native and invasive squirrels affect
population size?
Research:
~Red Squirrels:
~Grey Squirrels:
Hypothesis: The population of red squirrels will decrease when the invasive more fit grey squirrels are introduced into the ecosystem over time.
Experiment: Completed.
population size?
Research:
~Red Squirrels:
- Has a length of 19 to 23 cm, a tail length of 15 to 20 cm, and a mass of 250 to 340 g
- Found in coniferous forests and temperate broadleaf woodlands.
~Grey Squirrels:
- The Eastern gray squirrel is one of very few mammalian species that can descend a tree head-first.
- Eastern gray squirrels eat a range of foods such as tree bark, berries, many types of seeds and acorns, walnuts , and other nuts, and some types of fungi found in the forests
Hypothesis: The population of red squirrels will decrease when the invasive more fit grey squirrels are introduced into the ecosystem over time.
Experiment: Completed.
Conclusion Questions:
1. When was it easiest for the red squirrels to find resources? Hardest?
It was easiest for them when there were limited predators,limited red squirrels, there's lots of resources, and no grey squirrels. There were more resources for them. It was the hardest when the grey squirrels were added, and there are more predators. Also, when there are a limited number of resources.
2. When do organisms in the same population compete for resources?
When there are more orhanisms in the same populatoin than the resources, or when there are way too many resources,
3. How are resources affected by competition?
When there's competition, there are not many resources for all of the organisms. They will decline, which is negative, based on the competition.
4. To avoid extinction from competition, how would the natives squirrel’s niche need to change?
They would have to find another type of food, migrate, or find a different method to try to get the food. They could also get faster, but it would take a lot of time for it to happen.
CER:
Claim: The competiton between native and invasive squirrels affects them by decreasing the native squirrel population.
Evidence: Between year 1 and 7, there is a constant change in the red squirrels, averaging about 3 to 10 squirrels. From year 8, when the invasive squirrels were added, the red squirrels decreased from 125 to 98, and constantly decreased after that. Relatably, the gray squirrel population increased from 6 to 178 constantly. The predators aslo increased until year 8, up to 35 of them, but then decreased down to 18.
Reasoning: The best fit type of squirrel would win the competition for resources, and in this situation, that would be the gray squirrels. Also, the number of predators have an impact on how many of the squirrels survived by the end. By this, I can tell that the resources and the type of squirrels have an impact on the population.
1. When was it easiest for the red squirrels to find resources? Hardest?
It was easiest for them when there were limited predators,limited red squirrels, there's lots of resources, and no grey squirrels. There were more resources for them. It was the hardest when the grey squirrels were added, and there are more predators. Also, when there are a limited number of resources.
2. When do organisms in the same population compete for resources?
When there are more orhanisms in the same populatoin than the resources, or when there are way too many resources,
3. How are resources affected by competition?
When there's competition, there are not many resources for all of the organisms. They will decline, which is negative, based on the competition.
4. To avoid extinction from competition, how would the natives squirrel’s niche need to change?
They would have to find another type of food, migrate, or find a different method to try to get the food. They could also get faster, but it would take a lot of time for it to happen.
CER:
Claim: The competiton between native and invasive squirrels affects them by decreasing the native squirrel population.
Evidence: Between year 1 and 7, there is a constant change in the red squirrels, averaging about 3 to 10 squirrels. From year 8, when the invasive squirrels were added, the red squirrels decreased from 125 to 98, and constantly decreased after that. Relatably, the gray squirrel population increased from 6 to 178 constantly. The predators aslo increased until year 8, up to 35 of them, but then decreased down to 18.
Reasoning: The best fit type of squirrel would win the competition for resources, and in this situation, that would be the gray squirrels. Also, the number of predators have an impact on how many of the squirrels survived by the end. By this, I can tell that the resources and the type of squirrels have an impact on the population.