Observation: African savannas have a large diversity of ungulate herbivores that live in a range of
habitats from open plains to dense thickets of trees. Since savanna herbivores are of various sizes
and have different feeding habits, they might respond differently to variation in woody cover.
However, the extent to which these responses are driven by feeding preferences or predator
avoidance are poorly understood. In savanna systems most predators rely on stealth, so the ability
to detect predators may be more important than the ability to hide from them. If this is true, then
herbivores may prefer to forage in more open areas (with lower woody cover) than areas with
higher woody cover. A study was conducted to examine the relationship between wild herbivore
abundance and tree density (amount of woody cover). This was compared with the relationship
between cattle abundance and tree density. Farmed cattle do not have the natural fear of
predation that wild animals do and may therefore be expected to respond differently to the amount
of woody cover.
Task [10 marks]
a) Name the dependent variable. Indicate the type of data (continuous or discrete) and the data
scale for this variable. (2)
b) Name the independent variable. Indicate the type of data (continuous or discrete) and the data
scale for this variable. (2)
c) First, you must choose and compute an appropriate graph to visualize the data provided. Using
the information presented in your graph(s), describe and compare the observed relationships. (4)
d) What explanation could you give for the relationships you observed? (2).
Observation African savannas have a large diversity of ungu.pdf
1. Observation: African savannas have a large diversity of ungulate herbivores that live in a range of
habitats from open plains to dense thickets of trees. Since savanna herbivores are of various sizes
and have different feeding habits, they might respond differently to variation in woody cover.
However, the extent to which these responses are driven by feeding preferences or predator
avoidance are poorly understood. In savanna systems most predators rely on stealth, so the ability
to detect predators may be more important than the ability to hide from them. If this is true, then
herbivores may prefer to forage in more open areas (with lower woody cover) than areas with
higher woody cover. A study was conducted to examine the relationship between wild herbivore
abundance and tree density (amount of woody cover). This was compared with the relationship
between cattle abundance and tree density. Farmed cattle do not have the natural fear of
predation that wild animals do and may therefore be expected to respond differently to the amount
of woody cover.
Task [10 marks]
a) Name the dependent variable. Indicate the type of data (continuous or discrete) and the data
scale for this variable. (2)
b) Name the independent variable. Indicate the type of data (continuous or discrete) and the data
scale for this variable. (2)
c) First, you must choose and compute an appropriate graph to visualize the data provided. Using
the information presented in your graph(s), describe and compare the observed relationships. (4)
d) What explanation could you give for the relationships you observed? (2)
![Observation: African savannas have a large diversity of ungulate herbivores that live in a range of
habitats from open plains to dense thickets of trees. Since savanna herbivores are of various sizes
and have different feeding habits, they might respond differently to variation in woody cover.
However, the extent to which these responses are driven by feeding preferences or predator
avoidance are poorly understood. In savanna systems most predators rely on stealth, so the ability
to detect predators may be more important than the ability to hide from them. If this is true, then
herbivores may prefer to forage in more open areas (with lower woody cover) than areas with
higher woody cover. A study was conducted to examine the relationship between wild herbivore
abundance and tree density (amount of woody cover). This was compared with the relationship
between cattle abundance and tree density. Farmed cattle do not have the natural fear of
predation that wild animals do and may therefore be expected to respond differently to the amount
of woody cover.
Task [10 marks]
a) Name the dependent variable. Indicate the type of data (continuous or discrete) and the data
scale for this variable. (2)
b) Name the independent variable. Indicate the type of data (continuous or discrete) and the data
scale for this variable. (2)
c) First, you must choose and compute an appropriate graph to visualize the data provided. Using
the information presented in your graph(s), describe and compare the observed relationships. (4)
d) What explanation could you give for the relationships you observed? (2)](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/observationafricansavannashavealargediversityofungu-230322045905-e6e98425/85/Observation-African-savannas-have-a-large-diversity-of-ungu-pdf-1-320.jpg)
