Predators

Description

This activity explores the relationship between apex predators and mesopredators by investigating the mesopredator release theory in the case of dingoes and foxes. Students hear from the scientists who first discovered that apex predators played a vital role in structuring the entire ecosystem (keystone species). They identify dingoes as apex predators and foxes as mesopredators. Students explore a range of evidence from AR that supports the mesopredator release theory in this case. They see that dingoes have the potential to increase native mammal populations.

VCE Biology (2016-2020)

Unit 1, Area of Study 2, Outcome 2, VCE Biology Study Design

VCE Key knowledge

Relationships between organisms within an ecosystem

• Interdependencies between species as represented by food webs, including impact of changes to keystone species

Key science skills:

• Access secondary data, including data sourced through the internet that would otherwise be difficult to source as raw or primary data
• Draw conclusions consistent with evidence and relevant to the question under investigation
• Critically evaluate various types of information related to biology from journal articles, mass media and opinions presented in the public domain

Student learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students will:

• Describe how ecologists work towards the conservation of species and ecosystems
• Describe how ecologists conduct a wide range of experiments to learn about the ecosystem
• Compare a wide range of biotic and abiotic factors and explain how they influence the size and distribution of the population of a particular species
• Explain how apex predators can be considered keystone species and how they structure the entire ecosystem

Duration

45-60 minutes

Learning activities

Step 1
Watch film on keystone species

Step 2
Explore data on mesopredator release theory (state: competition impacts a population)

Step 3
Watch film on wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone