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Patterns of Predation

Chart from the paper
Topic
  • Ecology
  • Populations
  • Ecosystems
  • Science Practices
  • Graph Interpretation
Resource Type
  • Activities
  • Data Points
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Favorited By
6 Users
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Description

This activity guides the analysis of a published scientific figure from a study that investigated how herbivore populations are regulated in the Serengeti.

In this study, scientists examined whether herbivore population sizes in the Serengeti ecosystem of East Africa are regulated by bottom-up factors (such as food) or top-down factors (such as predators). As part of this study, the scientists analyzed 40 years of data on the causes of death for members of multiple herbivore species. The figure compares the percentages of adults in each species that died due to predation with the adults’ body sizes (as measured by weight).

The “Educator Materials” document includes a captioned figure, background information, graph interpretation, and discussion questions. The “Student Handout” includes a captioned figure and background information.
 

Student Learning Targets
  • Analyze and interpret data from a scientific figure. 
  • Explain the difference between bottom-up and top-down regulation.
  • Describe how to determine whether a population’s size is regulated by bottom-up or top-down factors.
     
Details
Estimated Time
Within one 50-minute class period.
Key Terms

bottom-up regulation, carnivore, error bar, herbivore, logarithmic scale, predator, prey, scatter plot, Serengeti, top-down regulation

Primary Literature

Sinclair, A. R. E., Simon Mduma, and Justin S. Brashares. “Patterns of predation in a diverse predator–prey system.” Nature 425, 6955 (2003): 288–290. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature01934.

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level

The documents for this resource meet accessibility standards in accordance with the final rule for Section 508 of the National Rehabilitation Act.
Version History
Date Published 10.24.19
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2-2, HS-LS2-6; SEP2, SEP4, SEP5

AP Biology (2019)

ENE-4.B; SP1, SP4

IB Biology (2016)

4.1, C.1, C.2, C.5

AP Environmental Science (2013)

II.A, III.A

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

2.1, 2.2, 2.5

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.7
MP2, MP5
 

Vision and Change (2009)

CC5; DP2, DP3

Materials
Educator Materials (PDF) 356 KB
Student Handout (PDF) 292 KB
Figure (JPG) 17 KB

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