Competative Squirel Lab
Problem: How does competition between native and invasive squirels affect population size?
Research:
Red Squirels-
-males and females are about the same size fully grown (19- 23 cm)
-has a varing mass from 250 grams to 360 grams
Gray Squirels-
-size varies from 23 cm to 30 cm
-grown wieght is from 400 to 600 grams
Hypothosis: The population of red squirels will decrease when the invasive more fit gray squirels are introduced into the ecosystem over time.
Research:
Red Squirels-
-males and females are about the same size fully grown (19- 23 cm)
-has a varing mass from 250 grams to 360 grams
Gray Squirels-
-size varies from 23 cm to 30 cm
-grown wieght is from 400 to 600 grams
Hypothosis: The population of red squirels will decrease when the invasive more fit gray squirels are introduced into the ecosystem over time.
Conclution Questions:
1) It was harder for the red squirels to find resources because the faster and stronger gray squirels would take all the resources. Thereby killing off the red squirels because they did not have what they needed to survive. It was easier when they were gone.
2) Organisms in the same population compete for resources when they have the same niche. They both have the same job in an ecosystem, which means they need the same resources. Which creates competition in the environment.
3) When organisms compete for resources, resources diminish quickley. With all the struggle to get enough for everyone it often leaves nothing after everyone is done. Effectivly killing off the other species but also not leaving enough for next year.
4) In order to avoid extiction, the native squirel's niche would need to change what it eats. It would have to adapt to eating something else, so that the others would not need to compete for resources.
CER:
Claim:
The population of red squirels will decrease when the gray squirels are introduced into the environment.
Evidence:
During the first eight years, there were no gray squirels and the red squirel population was at a steady average of 132 squirels. During years 8-14 the gray squirels average was about 67 squirels and the red squirels average was 52 squirels. In the last 15-20 years, the gray squirels average was about 144 squirels and the red squirels was 17 squirels.
Reasoning:
As soon as they gray squirels were added in at year eight, the red squirel population decreased by 80 squirels and continued to decrease every year. You can therby conclude that there was major conflict in that area because research proves the two animals had the same niche. The gray squirels were obviouly getting hold of the resources faster, leading the red squirels to extinction in that area.
1) It was harder for the red squirels to find resources because the faster and stronger gray squirels would take all the resources. Thereby killing off the red squirels because they did not have what they needed to survive. It was easier when they were gone.
2) Organisms in the same population compete for resources when they have the same niche. They both have the same job in an ecosystem, which means they need the same resources. Which creates competition in the environment.
3) When organisms compete for resources, resources diminish quickley. With all the struggle to get enough for everyone it often leaves nothing after everyone is done. Effectivly killing off the other species but also not leaving enough for next year.
4) In order to avoid extiction, the native squirel's niche would need to change what it eats. It would have to adapt to eating something else, so that the others would not need to compete for resources.
CER:
Claim:
The population of red squirels will decrease when the gray squirels are introduced into the environment.
Evidence:
During the first eight years, there were no gray squirels and the red squirel population was at a steady average of 132 squirels. During years 8-14 the gray squirels average was about 67 squirels and the red squirels average was 52 squirels. In the last 15-20 years, the gray squirels average was about 144 squirels and the red squirels was 17 squirels.
Reasoning:
As soon as they gray squirels were added in at year eight, the red squirel population decreased by 80 squirels and continued to decrease every year. You can therby conclude that there was major conflict in that area because research proves the two animals had the same niche. The gray squirels were obviouly getting hold of the resources faster, leading the red squirels to extinction in that area.