Predict Population Changes Practice Test

Baseline: A colony of ants in a school garden has been growing slowly through early summer. Change: A pest control treatment removes many aphids from nearby plants, reducing the sugary honeydew the ants collect. Evidence: For the next several weeks, fewer ants are observed on those plants and more ants are seen searching farther away. Which prediction about the ant colony’s population over time is best supported by the evidence about resource availability (before vs. after the treatment)? Population changes can be predicted from evidence, but predictions are not certainties.

A lake has a baseline population of small fish that has been stable. A new invasive plant spreads along the shoreline, creating more hiding places for young fish. Over the next month, a survey finds that more young fish are surviving to be seen in shallow water. Which prediction about the small fish population is supported by the evidence and the change in resources/conditions (before vs. after the plant spread)? Population changes can be predicted from evidence, but predictions are not certainties.