Chapter 1. Graphing Tutorial

Part A: Examine the Data Set

Graphing Tutorial
false
true

In this tutorial, we are going to examine changes in population numbers over time. Specifically, what has happened to bison numbers in the western U.S. since they were nearly extirpated in the late 1800’s? How should we manage their numbers?

Before you graph these data, let’s take a look at infographic 7.6 in your text.

Question 1.1

XhXx2puYQZ2UabTaZcASbW6K47lqpEgVOwnL+3rOTu7PP/7XY1o7Eikj9mu0XtqgbREv2oLZJsjZcFKLAWagcSBmpy9a0PpE7cZSa1bPHhjY9/JhD56z9Zum2rPf9QXOjZTLt8a7gZwkWksIex3YJ0xSbycjRlcyVGETpQLnC+E0BH/gRqSYhPfXzzkpmvaZLIwfn2B05o6sA2Xp+yNph1ndlXNmDwrpJKU4T6b2Nl3OZPzrbIfp0Z4EeHzX7jfVISl6qKTzBonu53ut2i24rv47zZScbsYSaz4Fygo9wHJNbrk6yVEvL7CQEqP5K0YTk1ESTr5zQJD2klTRWnhJs5qyO1gVJngOrZTjk4MA6J4TbP2NrDoITJV/+NVsZtgM6SlpDWtWEKJ87hMLhxOvDl/OJnGwcyosdvpBx3lnmyGWdg7pJ3U+vUEds6D/yJqSInwA87A8U9vkDiGAsurlAef7VJBA8LI/Tcb8eQ==

Question 1.2

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

Question 1.3

oxwk+niRSreXSgjAweR4cu9X9e5zQnL5WlGTk8EW3Vzmd5RM5KnvF9JlHAsfQdtLUS80QhuBc9rZlRcUMA0hi8YUmY2doJrS//i33N/Wd0C2WQJJLjK9gBZ5h+UFbBOsnl43Pg8delUWB+JmTNufqGraj2uB4lfgFZrGMU/AciU5kDx2pmo6ClOd0lvzjAZhurYzyfsfvkXf0U7osM8sr9gcaEKeV72IWRbtIttemrs4QTtxdEpM4cr1GDD7Xrx54z9x6+UCmK2ohs5g27P95rIPfz3P0o9J0T1zjmWypMWwQgvyJc3kITRXkfqjunHKb98ctFO0QD/AW3guEDN3RGuHBO6oGAypZumoGZ2lcvQUHPe++CIZeN/1q8HphWot0JBwsHycojugAyE/6jgrvRz9zleDT9DpkXVs8Y7rcgrfWU9nAXBYyvXarYoDfr/zsMnQyeMq6sZDwiClwg6+Udu6o86ljvQReGbDRRsmdLWufUZDcurlok2RJGUDMD26tGTlR431H99ae6yVGINcxpZ7w8UbprGYUSrFUvDZ7wJ6VlCaatJblL0UE+wV8BlByr+JDhdfYKsD9TwF27ZyVWRlkDMTXUJHfrAMKkgo5BsplU0lYM+13sYCCeZJLwu2V4kC3NlZi9dWcmz4HIUHgJuvForqcOJy

Question 1.4

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

Question 1.5

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
Correct.
Incorrect.

1.1 Part B: Make a Graph

Let’s look again at similar data for bison in Yellowstone national park. We are interested in the relationship between time and the size of the herd. The issue for parks is how many bison can the land support—what is carrying capacity?

Year Yellowstone North (Site 1) Yellowstone Central (Site 2) Wind Cave (Site 3) Wichita Mountains (Site 4)
1902 21 25
1903 29 21
1904 41 17
1905 44 30
1906 57
1907 61 25 15
1908 74 22
1909 100 23
1910 123 29
1911 147 27
1912 171 49
1913 170 53 14
1914 198
1915 243 31
1916 294 72
1917 338 70
1918 390
1919 417 91
1920 457 61 60 180
1921 533 76
1922 582 69
1923 686 76
1924 766 120
1925 873 66
1926 889 65
1927 977 72
1928 1050 61 160
1929 1198
1930 1229 108 210
1931 1302
1932 1238 240
1933 1192
1934 1127 180
1935 1094
1936 749 207 230
1937 473 218
1938 579 201 160
1939 649 229 205
1940 633 238 115 380
1941 748 274
1942 713 358 160
1943 751 224 180
1944 757 397 230
1945 445 487 165
1946 548 481 177
1947 449 188
1948 550 647 195
1949 396 730 300
1950 458 864 300 580
1951 640 315
1952 386 840 360
1953 370
1954 225 1319 385
1955 420 980
1956 231 1400 410
1957 205 610
1958 375
1959 400
1960 360 780
1961 212 657
1962
1963 656 440
1964 220
1965 172 608 310 980
1966 68 228
1967 81 319 260 1000
1968 71 351 215
1969 85 474 215
1970 216 262 285 500
1971 322 394
1972 232 379 215
1973 290 494
1974 205 716
1975 182 785 650
1976 259 901
1977 457 893
1978 217 1362 415
1979 433 1307 460
1980 287 1801 485 600
1981 298 1739
1982 405 1346 360
1983 432 1447 300
1984 588 1671
1985 517 1834 330 470
1986 708 2068
1987 595 2381
1988 844 2303 360
1989 430 2077
1990 349 2672 400 570
1991 544 2568
1992 267 3090
1993 626 2703 300
1994 738 3376
1995 712 3216 330 650
1996 756 2828
1997 354 1816
1998 572 1618 260
1999 548 1688
2000 634 2144 310 590
2001 700 2500 360 650
2002 750 2750 400 650
2003 900 2680 320 650
2004 890 3100 360 650
2005 1501 3500 410 650
2006 1490 2400 470 650
2007 2000 2500 360 650
2008 1500 1500 410 650
2009 460 650
2010

Now, you are going to create a graph that appropriately represents these data. If you’re not sure which type of graph to choose, review the following tutorial on graphing skills:

Graphing Skills mini tutorial

Question 1.6

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

Once you’ve selected the type of graph you’d like to create, enter your data for Yellowstone North and Yellowstone Central.

Question 1.7

eIy17k32f9wwmXDxavAq5vQPoeSeMcpJlbUo7D8T8+mIN0bE/t/NadDr3MynZ9PIOAw+8Z+7vb/Kq/slATcoENkLUR80V3SiuosKYj7gq1xiB7U3UPqnFAdzMeH6rWVvyyGe9ORsLfJb6/bjFg66EbfzftfdbugZLS8XM4cejy42Dje8IuOOlP48UmpbXRGEpNXuZf9cVdBTn9dnPeiQS5GALnNO01szgKtsZ1iDsOcYiSRyrH/xrYNi5qNBZJRgTj+fgG9NPOW6Hu2PHaFtHQjz/azgXyzsa19nFxg+/Ug=

Question 1.8

5TX0eV4HxkfNi+T6QAkHWUI0rTwvLb2FsXnJfxBajCNC2AFqcrtnK3FKwczdOEfK1umrxIitdh5srbdrAisU58oK9nb4+YWr7OBpMTMSlQ2Pn5xKxvCLtn/14vaNPFa4EIK6HYsk/lyAS21vr1MfpYWOeq+wOUPclPhBTasnYxuilP2AxkAOMdSlY5v081NKykBRih0n1h4SJBHEQY1x4B2n7ZMmK7bFAiq2Rf9vXLN2rVzF60oeUggyKaA8YS2GDHl9oXMY79xCZ/K5XLAQDcofVS0BKS6NGgYMttcSIkAPjiFKX1zS1x7WBmOqpPryQx9nf7/ZdkHZdFjfCTLxBWpiWTNxtHqb7y6HRkYb1IlnH3Uuy5oOMN/NVyvKnNtAcjxvDbfLub6ecPXkN+W5tIjAnk4oD1vDapsirWXhY+4o3ZSjd95KDTB6LKOZcGWghHjLfm2fIf9EfAI2ZkWJ/NKZ8oqJI9Bp

1.2 Part C: Alter the Graph

Now, add two more sites to your graph. These data are bison population sizes in Wind Cave National Park and the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

Notice that in each bison population, there are periodic declines in the population. All of these populations are located in national or state parks; during the 20th century there were few natural predators in any of the parks. The bison herds are managed by people to remain near carrying capacity for their location.

Question 1.9

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

Applet

Part D: Summary

Scatter plots are used when there is more than one y-value for the x-values. By graphing these data, you can see several things:

  • Bison were almost exterminated in the wild and were reintroduced at extremely small population sizes in these parks
  • A concern for biologists is the genetic diversity of the herds in these parks because they began with small numbers

The size of the herds would grow larger if it were not for human intervention. Many organizations contend that we should let the herds get bigger and extend beyond the boundaries of parks. Others say that because there are no natural predators, large numbers of bison could compete with cattle. Bison also share diseases with cattle that ranchers would rather avoid.