Question

3. Record your observations for each simulation test trial in the tables below and write 3-4 sentences describing your observations.

(Hint: Simulation is in lesson 1.16)
Choose a different starting number of carnivores, herbivores, and producers for each trial you conduct.

Table 1: Test Trial 1
Organisms in Simulation Start (number you added of each) End (number you ended with)
Carnivore
Herbivore
Producer

Table 2: Test Trial 2
Organisms in Simulation Start (number you added of each) End (number you ended with)
Carnivore
Herbivore
Producer

Table 3: Test Trial 3
Organisms in Simulation Start (number you added of each) End (number you ended with)
Carnivore
Herbivore
Producer

Write 3-4 sentences describing your observations in the three tables above.




4. What conclusions can you draw about how resource availability affects populations of organisms in an ecosystem? Write an evidence-based claim. (Hint: This means you state whether your hypothesis/prediction is correct or incorrect. You then need to provide evidence from your observation tables to support your claim of it being correct/incorrect.)

Answer 1

In the simulation test trials, the number of organisms at the start and end of each trial will vary depending on the initial numbers you choose for carnivores, herbivores, and producers. Resource availability has a direct impact on populations of organisms in an ecosystem.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the simulation test trials, the number of organisms at the start and end of each trial will vary depending on the initial numbers you choose for carnivores, herbivores, and producers. You will record these numbers in the tables provided. Observations will be based on how the populations of organisms change throughout the simulation. For example, you might notice that when there are more producers, the herbivore population increases, which in turn affects the carnivore population.

Based on the observations from the simulation, you can conclude that resource availability has a direct impact on populations of organisms in an ecosystem. When there are abundant resources, such as a higher number of producers, the populations of herbivores and carnivores also increase. On the other hand, when resources are scarce, the populations of herbivores and carnivores decrease.