Hawks and rabbits and grass oh my!

1. Hawks and rabbits and grass oh my!

2. Questions to Ponder • How do organisms interact with each other in an environment? • What should an ideal population look like?

3. Rules for Relationships (it’s all about relationships!) • If two similar organisms meet then they produce one offspring of the same species. • Hawks eat only rabbits. Rabbits eat only grass. • It is assumed that grasses get all the nourishment they need (water, sun,etc). • Animals – hawks and rabbits – must eat at least every other turn to avoid death by starvation (keep track). • Do not tell anyone you “pair up” with what you are—or I beat you! • I will take totals of what organisms are left after each turn. Put you head down and raise your hand when I ask about each organism.

4. Data Collection • Record group data on a sheet of paper of each generation and the number of organisms in that generation. • After 6 generations have been recorded, graph your data on a sheet of graph paper and LABEL all parts of your graph! • Interpret and analyze data and graph. Explain trends, and future possibilities.

5. Ecology Simulation example:

7. Questions for Conclusion: Write your answers in complete sentences on a sheet of paper; label it “H-R-G conclusion.” • What would the community be like in 10 generations? • What would happen if another small mammal was introduced to the area at the beginning of this activity? • What would have happened if we did start with equal numbers of hawks, rabbits and grass? • What should the population numbers be like in a successful community? • What might happen if some of the rabbits inherited the characteristic of camouflage fur? What would happen to those rabbits that did not? • What might happen to this population if • Elmer Fudd hunts frequently in this area? • Explain your answer.