Question

Describe the predator-prey relationship between the moose and wolves of Isle Royale. What other factors influence these two populations?

Short answer

The predator-prey relationship between wolves and moose on Isle Royale shows a cyclical pattern where the increase of the prey population (moose) leads to an increase of the predator population (wolves), which then results in a decrease of the moose population due to increased predation, and subsequently decrease in wolf population due to less available prey. Additionally, other influencing factors can include weather changes, disease, or human intervention.

Step-by-step solution

Describe the Predator-Prey relationship

In Isle Royale, the moose is the prey and the wolves are the predators. When the moose population increases, there will be more food for the wolves, allowing the wolf population to increase. This increase in predators, however, can cause the moose population to decline as more moose are hunted by the now larger wolf population.

Discuss the effect of population change

When the moose population decreases, it can lead to a decrease in the wolf population due to lack of food. The wolf population decline allows the moose population to recover and grow, as there are fewer predators. This cycle continues, causing the predator and prey populations to fluctuate in response to each other. This is the primary predator-prey dynamic observed between wolves and moose on Isle Royale.

Discuss other influencing factors

Several other factors can influence these two populations. Weather changes, particularly harsh winters, can affect the survival rate of both animals directly and the availability of food for moose indirectly. Disease can also decimate either population, and human activities (although limited on Isle Royale) can influence these populations through things like hunting or habitat destruction.