Refer to the graph below, showing population cycles of snowshoe hares and their predator, Canada lynx.Population numbers were collected when both populations were trapped for the fur trade. Some scientists think that the predator-prey cycles of the snowshoe hare and Canada lynx are not dependent on the interaction between the two species but instead on some outside factor, such as climate.If this is the case and if lynx were removed from the community, the hare population would likely
A) grow indefinitely without lynx to control its numbers.
B) grow exponentially at first but crash when it ran out of food.
C) grow exponentially at first but level off as hares adapted to the new condition.
D) continue to undergo cycles because some factor other than lynx is in control.
E) show erratic population numbers, with no obvious cycles or other patterns.

Question

Refer to the graph below, showing population cycles of snowshoe hares and their predator, Canada lynx.Population numbers were collected when both populations were trapped for the fur trade.  Some scientists think that the predator-prey cycles of the snowshoe hare and Canada lynx are not dependent on the interaction between the two species but instead on some outside factor, such as climate.If this is the case and if lynx were removed from the community, the hare population would likely
A) grow indefinitely without lynx to control its numbers. 
B) grow exponentially at first but crash when it ran out of food. 
C) grow exponentially at first but level off as hares adapted to the new condition. 
D) continue to undergo cycles because some factor other than lynx is in control. 
E) show erratic population numbers, with no obvious cycles or other patterns.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer of Refer to the graph below, showing population cycles of snowshoe hares and their predator, Canada lynx.Population numbers were collected when both populations were trapped for the fur trade.  Some scientists think that the predator-prey cycles of the snowshoe hare and Canada lynx are not dependent on the interaction between the two species but instead on some outside factor, such as climate.If this is the case and if lynx were removed from the community, the hare population would likely
A) grow indefinitely without lynx to control its numbers. 
B) grow exponentially at first but crash when it ran out of food. 
C) grow exponentially at first but level off as hares adapted to the new condition. 
D) continue to undergo cycles because some factor other than lynx is in control. 
E) show erratic population numbers, with no obvious cycles or other patterns.

Refer to the Graph Below, Showing Population Cycles of Snowshoe