Reading Graphs

1. Reading Graphs Scientific data is often plotted in tables or graphs. How might a table or graph be helpful for understanding the data? The visual representation of the data in the form of a graph or table makes it faster and easier to compare effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

2. What does this graph show? It shows fluctuations in the populations of hares and lynxes over a period of 90 years.

3. From 1865 to 1935, how does the population of hares appear to affect the population of lynxes? When the population of hares increases, the population of lynxes also increases.

4. In which year did the hare population reach its highest number? Approximately 1868.

5. What was the population of hares at its lowest point(s)? At several points, the hare population fell to approximately 3,000.

6. What does this graph show? It compares the temperature variations and precipitation throughout the year in tropical deserts vs. temperate deserts. According to this graph, which type of desert experiences the highest temperatures? The Tropical Desert What is the difference between the highest average temperature of the tropical desert vs. the temperate desert? 100-70= 30 degrees F

8. What does this graph tell us about the life span male vs. female Dall sheep ? a. females live slightly longer than males. b. males live slightly longer than females c. males live much longer than females d. females live much longer than males. Based on this graph, what statement can you make about the overall life span of Dall sheep? The Dall sheep’s chance of surviving drops dramatically after it reaches about 10 years of age. The sheep are more likely to die between the ages of 10 and 13 than they are between the ages of, for example 2 to 8.

9. 1. According to this graph, what happened to the population of humans between the year 1000 CE and 1330 CE? It remained the same (stable.) 2. During which period in history did the human population grow the fastest? The area where the line is the steepest. Between about 1910 and 2000.

10. What, if any, relationship exists between water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels in this graph? As temperature increases, DO decreases and vice versa.

11. What, if any, relationship exists between water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels in this graph? As temperature increases, DO decreases and vice versa.

12. Whatinference can be made from these data? As water temperature increases, it’s ability to hold dissolved oxygen decreases.

13. What do we know from this graph? What do we not know from this graph?

14. What is going on inside this box? On June 11, 2014, the barometic pressure began dropping rapidly between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Heavy rains accompanied this drop in pressure. When did the rain stop? No more accumulation of rain occurs after about 2:30 p.m.

15. Here is a more precise snapshot of the same time period as the previous graph, only instead of showing the total accumulation of rain, it shows the accumulation of rain at 15 minute intervals. During what time period did this area receive the heaviest rain? From about noon until 1:00 p.m (1300 hrs) it rained heavily.

16. Cooperative Group Activity

17. The graphs below are interrelated. They represent the changes in the populations of various organisms in the Yellowstone Ecosystem from 1990 to 2010. In 1995, wolves were reintroduced by the U.S. Department of Fish & Wildlife into the Yellowstone National Park ecosystem. In your cooperative groups, you are to do the following: • Write down at least ten pieces of data from these graphs. ex: In 2003, the Yellowstone wolf population was approximately 100.ex: From 2003 to 2005, the wolf population decreased from 100 to about 55 wolves.ex: The Yellowstone beaver population increased steadily from 1999 to 2010. • Write down at least ten inferences you can make from analyzing these graphs.ex: The reintroduction of wolves to the Yellowstone ecosystem benefitted species of trees such as Cottonwood, Willow, and Aspen. ex: The decline in the elk population decreased significantly from 2005 to 2010 while the population and height of hardwood trees (Willow, Aspen, Cottonwood) increased drastically. Therefore, we can infer that there is a relationship between the population of elk and the population of hardwood trees.

19. Formative Assessment

20. Chesapeake Bay Dissolved Oxygen Measurements 1. During which time of year are dissolved oxygen levels the greatest?

21. Chesapeake Bay Dissolved Oxygen Measurements 2. During which time of year are dissolved oxygen levels the lowest?

22. Chesapeake Bay Dissolved Oxygen Measurements 3. What inference might one make regarding the relationship between water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels?

23. 4. What information is provided by this graph?

24. 5. The Ogeechee River is a wild river, meaning it is unaffected by dams which artificially control the water levels. What is the most likely explanation for the increase in river height/levels on June 21?

25. 6. On what day did the river level reach it’s highest mark during this time period? 7. What height did it reach on that date?

26. 8. On what day did the river level drop to its lowest height during this time period?9. What height did it drop to on that date?

27. 10. What is the approximate height difference between the two dates you listed in questions 9 and 10?