Lecture 8

Question 1

What are three hypotheses for lynx-hare cycles?

Answer 1

Sunspot hypothesis
Overpopulation
Reduced quantity and quality of food supply

Question 2

What is the sunspot hypothesis for lynx-hare cycles?

Answer 2

Sunspot cycles lead to reduced food quality and quantity, which reduces the hare population which reduces the lynx population. However, sunspot cycles don’t match up with the lynx-hare population cycles

Question 3

What is the overpopulation hypothesis for lynx-hare cycles?

Answer 3

High populations of hares leads to disease and increased mortality, which leads to declines in the lynx population

Question 4

What is the reduced quantity and quality of food supply hypothesis for lynx-hare population cycles?

Answer 4

Overgrazing leads to reduced quantity and quality of food plants, which leads to a decline in the hare population size, leading to a decline in the lynx population size