The model may suggest what would happen if there were only foxes, and no rabbits, on the island.
Observe the predictions of the model for values in these ranges:
Initial # rabbits (R) equal 0
Initial # foxes (F) between 50 and 200
Rabbit birth rate (B) between .04 and .07
Fox death rate (D) between .04 and .07
Question 12: In the model, what do you observe when there are no rabbits present?
The model predicts that when there are no rabbits present, there will be very few foxes present, but there will still not be completely gone.
When there are no rabbits present there are going to be very few foxes present. This is because the predators (foxes) will not have their main food sourse readily available (rabbits). Naturally, when the predator is lacking its prey, the predators are going to decrease because of the lack of food. In this case, the foxes would not completly die out because they would be able to find other means of food.
Question 13: Does this prediction make sense for a real system? Why or why not?
For a real system, this prediction is somewhat correct. If there are no rabbits present, then the foxes would have a shortage in one of their main food supplies. This would cause a relatively small drop off in the number of foxes, however not by much. The foxes, being the predators that they are would quickly find other means of food and their population would remain constant.
I thought that rabbits were considered the ONLY source of food for the foxes (hypothetically speaking). If so, then if no rabbits are present then foxes have nothing to eat, starve, and eventually their population will die out too.
NOTE: Until April 17, please answer only one of the unanswered research questions. If you have an original contribution to make on a question someone else already has answered, you may include it at any time.
