Essentials of Ecology

ACADEMIC.CENGAGE.COM/BIOLOGY/MILLER 49

DATA ANALYSIS

Marine scientists from the U.S. state of Maryland have pro-

duced the following two graphs as part of a report on the

current health of the Chesapeake Bay. They are pleased with

the recovery of the striped bass population but are concerned

Using the data in the above graphs, answer the following

questions:

1. Which years confirm their hypothesis?


2. Which years do not support their hypothesis?
   3. If the crab population reaches 100% of the goal figure,
   what would you predict the striped bass goal figure
   would be?

LEARNING ONLINE

Log on to the Student Companion Site for this book at

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Chapter 2 for many study aids and ideas for further read-

ing and research. These include flash cards, practice quiz-

zing, Weblinks, information on Green Careers, and InfoTrac®

College Edition articles.

about the decline of the blue crab population, because blue

crabs are consumed by mature striped bass. Their hypothesis is

that as the population of striped bass increases, the population

of blue crab decreases.

Year

Percentage of goal achieved

1982 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

0

20

40

60

80

100

Goal

120

140

160

180

200

Year

Percentage of goal achieved

1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

0

50

100

150

200

250

Goal