Write a paragraph below stating the conclusions you have made based on the simulation, the data you collected and your bar graph. Be sure to include WHY the changes have happened and how it affected the ecosystem’s biodiversity. Write a sentence on what the mountain lions would have to do to survive the conditions in this simulation. Then take it one step further: Write a sentence or two on how fur trapping could have affected OTHER organisms in the Coconino National Forest in this simulation
Based on the simulation, data collected, and bar graph, it is evident that as the bobcat population increased, the rabbit population decreased, leading to a decrease in plant growth. This was likely due to the increased predation pressure on the rabbits by the bobcats. This decrease in plant growth further impacted the deer population, causing a decrease in their numbers. To survive in these conditions, the mountain lions would likely have to adapt their hunting strategies and possibly expand their range to find sufficient food sources. Additionally, fur trapping in the Coconino National Forest could have affected other organisms such as foxes, birds of prey, and scavengers that rely on the fur-bearing animals as food sources, ultimately leading to disruptions in the ecosystem's food chain and biodiversity.
