Peter and Rosemary Grant have studied finches in the Galapagos Islands for over 40 years. During their studies, they observed that drought years yield larger plant seed sizes. Rainy years yield smaller seed sizes. These seeds are the main food source for finches. The graph below shows the average beak depth of the finch population over time. Pay particular attention to years labeled as wet or dry.
Question 1 Read the background information and look at the chart above. Use the information to complete the sentence(2 points) Wet years result in ___ seeds and ___ years result in larger seeds.
Question 2 Claim: Read the background information and look at the chart. How are average beak depth and seed size related?
Responses:
A: The average beak depth is larger when seeds are smaller.
B: The average beak depth does not change based on seed size.
C: The average beak depth is larger when seeds are larger.
Question 3 Evidence and Reasoning: Re-read your claim. Look at the chart and the description above it. Select data from the chart and the description to explain how you know that the claim you chose is true. You should specifically refer to at least two specific years to make your point. (In 3 sentences)
YOU NEED:
Referencing data from two relevant years
Explaining how that data proves the relationship between seed size and beak depth that you selected in the earlier claim question
Extension: Imagine that there are two birds. One has a beak depth of 9.2 mm and the other has a beak depth of 10.0 mm. This year is a wet year. Which one is more likely to survive and reproduce in this environment? Explain why using the data from the chart in 4 sentences
Rubric Choosing a bird to be more likely to survive 1 pt Explaining why that bird would be more likely to survive in 3 sentences.
Question 1: Wet years result in smaller seeds and dry years result in larger seeds.
Question 2: C: The average beak depth is larger when seeds are larger.
Question 3: The data from the chart and description show that in wet years, such as 1977 and 1985, which had smaller seeds, the average beak depth of the finch population was smaller. On the other hand, in dry years like 1979 and 1987, which had larger seeds, the average beak depth was larger. This proves that the average beak depth is larger when seeds are larger.
Extension: The bird with a beak depth of 10.0 mm is more likely to survive and reproduce in a wet year because the data shows that in wet years with smaller seeds, the average beak depth of the finch population is smaller. A larger beak depth would allow the bird to more effectively crack open and eat the smaller seeds, giving it a better chance at survival and reproduction.