Predator-Prey Relationships

What is a predator–prey relationship?

An interaction in which a predator feeds on a prey organism.

How does prey abundance affect predator populations?

More prey can provide more food, allowing predator populations to increase.

How can increasing predator numbers affect prey populations?

More prey are consumed, so prey numbers may decrease.

What may happen to predator numbers after prey numbers decrease?

Predator numbers may fall because less food is available.

Why can prey numbers recover after predator numbers fall?

Fewer prey are consumed, allowing more to survive and reproduce.

Why do predator and prey populations sometimes show cycles?

Changes in food availability and predation cause alternating population increases and decreases.

Why does the predator population peak often occur after the prey population peak?

Predators need time to reproduce in response to increased food availability.

What happens to the prey population when predator numbers are very high?

Prey numbers may decrease due to increased predation.

Why might prey numbers rise before predator numbers?

Increased prey abundance provides more food for predators, whose populations respond later.

Do predator and prey populations always follow regular cycles?

No, other factors such as disease and environmental conditions can disrupt them.

What is one limitation of using predator–prey graphs to predict populations?

Real ecosystems are affected by multiple interacting biotic and abiotic factors.

Why is it incorrect to assume predators are the only factor controlling prey populations?

Food, disease, competition and abiotic conditions also affect prey abundance.

How can predator–prey relationships help maintain ecological balance?

They can limit population growth and influence community structure.