Evaluate Claims A student claims that the monarch population increases and decreases in
a cycle, similar to the pattern of predator-prey populations like wolves and moose. Use the
data to evaluate this claim.
The monarch population represented by the graph depicts a fluctuating pattern which epitomizes a rise and fall pattern in the area occupied by monarchs over the winter season between 1995 and 2005. The predator-prey population depicts the sharp decline in the prey population as they are being fed on in large numbers as the number of predator multiplies. This is followed by a decrease in the number of predators due to starvation as the available prey are insufficient to cater for their number. The cyclic nature of the graph shows similar pattern as areas occupied by monarchs declines as the winter season progresses over time.
