Question

Set the # of grass to the lowest amount and describe what happens to the rabbit, snake, and hawk populations after six months.

A. Rabbit population increases, snake population decreases, hawk population increases.
B. Rabbit population decreases, snake population increases, hawk population decreases.
C. Rabbit population decreases, snake population decreases, hawk population decreases.
D. Rabbit population increases, snake population increases, hawk population decreases.

Answer 1

When grass is scarce, the rabbit population decreases, which can lead to a decrease in snake and hawk populations over time, as predation plays a key role in shaping the dynamics of these interconnected populations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question presented deals with the concepts of predation and population dynamics within an ecosystem. In a scenario where the number of grass is set to the lowest amount, the initial effect is a decrease in the food source for the rabbit population, which consequently leads to a decrease in rabbit numbers due to starvation and lack of resources. With fewer rabbits as the primary prey, the snake population, which preys on the rabbits, will likely decrease over time due to a lack of food. Finally, if snakes are prey for hawks, the hawk population might initially increase due to an easier time catching the now more exposed and less numerous snakes. However, as the snake population continues to drop, the hawk population may also eventually decrease due to the reduced food source.