The graph that matches this description would show an initial flat line at the higher population level, a sharp decline, followed by a sigmoidal (S-shaped) recovery back to the initial population level.
The description you provided outlines a typical logistic growth pattern with a disturbance:
1. The ecosystem starts at the carrying capacity for hyenas.
2. A drought causes a significant decrease in the hyena population.
3. The population eventually recovers to the carrying capacity again.
We are looking for a graph that shows:
- A stable population initially at the carrying capacity.
- A sudden drop due to an external event (the drought).
- A recovery period where the population increases.
- A leveling off as the population reaches the carrying capacity once more.
In the graph that represents this situation, we would expect to see:
- A line that starts high (at carrying capacity).
- A sharp decline representing the population decrease due to the drought.
- A rising curve as the population recovers.
- A plateau as the population stabilizes again at the carrying capacity.