Use the graph to answer the question below.

The graph shows number of rotifers on the y-axis from 0 to 4500, in increments of 500. The x-axis is labeled as days. The data is as follows. Day 0: number of rotifers alone and number of rotifers with water fleas, 0. Day 2: number of rotifers alone and number of rotifers with water fleas, 0. Day 4: number of rotifers alone and number of rotifers with water fleas, 300. Day 6: number of rotifers alone and number of rotifers with water fleas, 500. Day 8: number of rotifers alone and number of rotifers with water fleas, 800. Day 10: number of rotifers alone, 1700 and number of rotifers with water fleas, 1600. Day 12: number of rotifers alone, 3000 and number of rotifers with water fleas, 1500. Day 14: number of rotifers alone, 4000 and number of rotifers with water fleas, 1100. Day 16: number of rotifers alone, 4200 and number of rotifers with water fleas, 200. Day 18: number of rotifers alone, 4200 and number of rotifers with water fleas, 0.

Analyze the graph and identify some factors that may contribute to the rotifer population leveling off in the absence of water fleas. Explain your answer in 1–2 sentences.

The graph shows that the rotifer population increased when water fleas were present, but leveled off when they were absent. This suggests that water fleas may be a food source for rotifers, and without them, the rotifer population cannot continue to grow.

To analyze the graph and identify factors contributing to the rotifer population leveling off in the absence of water fleas, we can observe that as the number of water fleas decreases towards zero, the rotifer population remains steady or slightly increases. This suggests that the rotifers may have reached their carrying capacity in the absence of water fleas, meaning they have reached the maximum population size that can be sustained by available resources like food and habitat.

Based on the graph, one factor that may contribute to the rotifer population leveling off in the absence of water fleas is the limited availability of resources. As the number of rotifers increases, there may not be enough resources such as food or space to support further population growth, leading to a plateau in population size.