Community Ecology

AP Biology· difficulty 3/5

A phase-plane plot of predator vs. prey density traces a closed loop.

Prey density Predator density

A closed (non-shrinking) trajectory in the phase plane indicates:

  • A

    Damped oscillations to extinction

  • B

    Neutrally stable cycling around an equilibrium point

    check_circle
  • C

    Exponential growth of both species

  • D

    Carrying capacity has been reached

Explanation

A closed orbit in the predator-prey phase plane represents persistent oscillations of both populations around a neutral equilibrium.

Want 10 more like this — adaptive to your weak spots?

Related questions