Hawks and rabbits and grass oh my!

Questions to Ponder How do organisms interact with each other in an environment? What should an ideal population look like?

Rules for Relationships (it’s all about relationships!) 1. If two similar organisms meet then they produce one offspring of the same species. 2. Hawks eat only rabbits. Rabbits eat only grass. 3. It is assumed that grasses get all the nourishment they need (water, sun,etc). 4. Animals – hawks and rabbits – must eat at least every other turn to avoid death by starvation (keep track). 5. Do not tell anyone you “pair up” with what you are— or I beat you! 6. I will take totals of what organisms are left after each turn. Put you head down and raise your hand when I ask about each organism.

Data Collection Record group data on a sheet of paper of each generation and the number of organisms in that generation. After 6 generations have been recorded, graph your data on a sheet of graph paper and LABEL all parts of your graph! Interpret and analyze data and graph. Explain trends, and future possibilities.

OrganismGenerations Hawk Rabbit33200 Grass Ecology Simulation example:

Questions for Conclusion: Write your answers in complete sentences on a sheet of paper; label it “H-R-G conclusion.” 1.What would the community be like in 10 generations? 2.What would happen if another small mammal was introduced to the area at the beginning of this activity? 3.What would have happened if we did start with equal numbers of hawks, rabbits and grass? 4.What should the population numbers be like in a successful community? 5.What might happen if some of the rabbits inherited the characteristic of camouflage fur? What would happen to those rabbits that did not? 6.What might happen to this population if Elmer Fudd hunts frequently in this area? Explain your answer.