1. Predator & Prey Competition Relationships
11/3/2014

2. Predator Prey Relationships
As the predator obtains food, the prey has a negative interaction (death)
However, the overall prey population is improved.
Weak
Sick
Injured
Keeps in check with available resources

3. Deer Population DATA 6th: 8 12 6 10
“Oh, Deer!” Game
Deer
Food
Water
Shelter
Deer Population DATA 6th: 8 12 6 10 20
Deer
Population 10
Trials

4. Deer Population DATA: 2nd Period 11 18 6 12 17 8 16 10 19
“Oh, Deer!” Game
Deer
Food
Water
Shelter
Deer Population DATA: 2nd Period 11 18 6 12 17 8 16 10 19 20
Deer
Population 10
Trials

5. Deer Population DATA: 4th Period 12 20 8 18 16 14
“Oh, Deer!” Game
Deer
Food
Water
Shelter
Deer Population DATA: 4th Period 12 20 8 18 16 14 20
Deer
Population 10
Trials

6. Predator/Prey Relationship
When a predator species is removed from the ecosystem, the prey population dramatically increase in numbers and often starves through lean seasons.
Removing WOLVES from the forest
Explosion of deer population
Deer starved over winter due to lack of food to feed the increased population.

7. Predator and Prey Populations

8. Competition – driving force behind natural selection
Populations compete for limited resources:
Water
Energy
Living space
Mates
Competition within a species may result in the better-adapted individual, eliminating the less fit competitor. “Survival of the Fittest”

9. Interspecific (between species) competition
Negatively effects both competing population
Resources are finite
If only one species, the number of individuals in the population would be greater than if the limiting resources were divided between two species.
EXAMPLE: Lions and Cheetahs
Extinction of species: one out competed by another using available resources the population could decrease until no individuals remain.

10. Competition: Paramecium and P. aurelia
Survival of the Fittest
Natural Selection