An ecologist hypothesizes that predation by a particular owl species is the major factor controlling the population of a particular rabbit species.If this is the case,which of the following population effects could be expected in this rabbit- owl pair?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If predation by the owl is the major factor controlling the rabbit population, an increase in the owl population would lead to increased predation on the rabbit population, causing a fall in the rabbit population. An increase in disease incidence in the rabbit population is not related to predation by the owl, so it would not affect the owl population. A fall in the rabbit population could lead to a decrease in the availability of prey for the owl population, but it does not necessarily lead to an increase in the owl population. A fall in the owl population would reduce the predation pressure on the rabbit population, which would potentially lead to an increase in the rabbit population, but this does not answer the question about the major factor controlling the rabbit population.

An Ecologist Hypothesizes That Predation by a Particular Owl Species