Question

1.

How can tick populations that prey on moose affect wolf populations?

Wolves that feed on tick-infested moose become ill, thus decreasing the wolf population. Moose preyed upon by ticks increase in reproductive success and numbers, thus increasing the wolf population. Moose weakened by tick infestation are easy prey for wolves, thus increasing the wolf population. The tick populations that prey on moose do not affect wolf populations in any way. The thriving tick populations that target moose eventually target wolves as the moose population dwindles.

2.	Select the scenarios that describe an abiotic factor that is density independent. Select the TWO answers that are correct.
	A fire rages through the land, destroying many habitats. Trees that provide food for moose die off from a parasite infestation. Many inches of snow fall and cover the ground and trees. A virus that targets moose spreads throughout the moose population. An increasing wolf population requires more food to support its numbers.

Answer 1

Answer: Option (3) is correct (Moose weakened by tick infestation are easy prey for wolves, thus increasing the wolf population)

Explanation: In ecosystem all the organisms are closely relater to each other.Tick(Dermacentor albipictus) is a small creature which feed only on the moose blood. As the tick preys up on the moose so it will weaken the resistance of moose and by this the moose get to starvation so they get die easily or can be easily predated by wolf(for food). Hence by this the population of wolf will increase. So we can say that increasing levels of tick decreases the moose abundance which is the food for wolf so it increases the wolf population.

Answer 2: Option (1) and(3) are correct

Explanation: As here we are considering about abiotic(environmental conditions) factors so fire range and snowfall are the factors which are density independent. Generally we consider weather and climatic condition as density independent factor which effect on population size regardless to  the density of population.