The Cane Toad has dramatically affected the Australian freshwater crocodile (Cro

Question

The Cane Toad has dramatically affected the Australian freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnsoni) population. At the Cane Toad population boomed, crocodiles attempted to prey on Cane Toads more frequently, and when successful, the crocodiles die immediately due to ingesting the toad. The crocodile population in 1980 was 100,000 and has experienced a 12% decline each year. Develop a mathematical model that represents the crocodile population each year since 1980 to this year and ten years beyond. Show the predicted crocodile population in a table. Provide written evidence that demonstrates your understanding of the environmental issues caused by the Cane Toad. What environmental prediction(s) can you make based on your data? Support your prediction(s) with relevant calculations that strengthen your argument. What plan of action do you suggest for preventing the extinction of the Australian freshwater crocodile?

Explanation / Answer

The mathematical equation for the crocodile population is at any year after 1980 is,

Pt = P0*(1 + r/100*1)(t-1980) , where t = the year at which we want to know the figure for crocodile population.

We have P0 = 100,000 , r = - 12 .

Now we provide for the next 10 years table showing crocodile populations for each year.

68147.2

Year Populations 1981 88000 1982 77440 1983

68147.2

1984 59969.54 1985 52773.19 1986 46440.41 1987 40867.56 1988 35963.45 1989 31647.84 1990 27850.10

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