In the space below, write short responses to the following: What evidence in the video supports the idea that a drop in prey species caused a change in the Iberian lynx population? What additional evidence would you need to support the claim that this disruption caused the Iberian lynx population to also drop?
Evidence in the video that supports the idea that a drop in prey species caused a change in the Iberian Lynx population includes the decrease in rabbit population, which is the main source of food for the lynx. Additionally, the decrease in lynx population was correlated with a decline in the rabbit population.
To support the claim that this disruption caused the Iberian lynx population to also drop, additional evidence could include data showing the direct impact of the decrease in prey species on the health and reproduction rates of the lynx population. This could involve studying the changes in lynx behavior, hunting success, and reproductive success in response to the drop in prey species. Population modeling and long-term monitoring data could also provide insights into the relationship between prey availability and lynx population dynamics.