HOW PREDATION AFFECTS POPULATION SIZE IN AN ECOSYSTEM
Predation is the interaction that occurs when when one species uses another species as food in an ecosystem. Generally, the predators benefit, and the prey are harmed.
In successful predation, the predator's population size increases, while the prey's population size decreases as they are consumed for food.
Predator/Prey Population Cycles
Predation can either cause an increase or decrease in the population sizes of predator and prey in an ecosystem.
If the size of the prey population increases, then the size of the predator population increases because they are using the increased number of prey as food. However, the population of the prey then decreases because they have been a food source for the predators. Eventually, the predator population also decreases because of the decrease in their food source (prey). In turn, as the predators decrease, the prey numbers increase in size. This generally continues in a cycle in which the predator and prey populations grow and then decline, depending on the size of eachother.
Deer in CT and Predation
Currently, there are large numbers of deer in Connecticut. This is due to the fact that most of deer's predators, such as coyotes, have been largely eliminated. Previously, during the 1700's until the early 1900's, CT was mostly farmland, and deer were hunted in great numbers. As forests began to regrow later in the 1900's and predators such as coyotes are not very prevalent, deer began to re-populate in the state.
Predation is the interaction that occurs when when one species uses another species as food in an ecosystem. Generally, the predators benefit, and the prey are harmed.
In successful predation, the predator's population size increases, while the prey's population size decreases as they are consumed for food.
Predator/Prey Population Cycles
Predation can either cause an increase or decrease in the population sizes of predator and prey in an ecosystem.
If the size of the prey population increases, then the size of the predator population increases because they are using the increased number of prey as food. However, the population of the prey then decreases because they have been a food source for the predators. Eventually, the predator population also decreases because of the decrease in their food source (prey). In turn, as the predators decrease, the prey numbers increase in size. This generally continues in a cycle in which the predator and prey populations grow and then decline, depending on the size of eachother.
Deer in CT and Predation
Currently, there are large numbers of deer in Connecticut. This is due to the fact that most of deer's predators, such as coyotes, have been largely eliminated. Previously, during the 1700's until the early 1900's, CT was mostly farmland, and deer were hunted in great numbers. As forests began to regrow later in the 1900's and predators such as coyotes are not very prevalent, deer began to re-populate in the state.