Pesticides that kill all insect species are not only bad for the environment, but they can also be inefficient at controlling pest species. Suppose a pest insect species in a particular field has population R(t) at time t , and suppose its primary predator is another insect species with population F(t) at time t . Suppose the populations of these species are accurately modeled by the system
studied in this section. Finally, suppose that at time t = 0 a pesticide is applied to the field that reduces both the pest and predator populations to very small but nonzero numbers.
(a) Using Figures 1 and 2, predict what will happen as t increases to the population of the pest species.
(b) Write a short essay, in nontechnical language, warning of the possibility of the “paradoxical” effect that pesticide application can have on pest populations.
Figure 1
Figure 2
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