In 1800, the wood bison population in North America was estimated at 168 000. The population declined to only about 250 animals in 1893. That year, Wood Buffalo National Park was established on the Alberta/Northwest Territories border. In 2006, there were about 5600 bison in the park.
1. What was the average rate of change in the bison population from 1800 to 1893? Describe the meaning of this rate.
2. What was the average rate of change in the bison population from 1893 to 2006? Describe the meaning of this rate.
1807.1
To calculate the average rate of change in the bison population, we need to find the difference in population and divide it by the number of years.
1. Average Rate of Change from 1800 to 1893:
Population difference: 250 (final population in 1893) - 168,000 (initial population in 1800) = -167,750.
Years: 1893 - 1800 = 93 years.
Average rate of change = Population difference / Years
= -167,750 / 93
≈ -1,805.38
The negative average rate of change (-1,805.38) means that the population was declining on average by approximately 1,805 bison per year from 1800 to 1893.
2. Average Rate of Change from 1893 to 2006:
Population difference: 5,600 (final population in 2006) - 250 (population in 1893) = 5,350.
Years: 2006 - 1893 = 113 years.
Average rate of change = Population difference / Years
= 5,350 / 113
≈ 47.35
The positive average rate of change (47.35) means that the population was increasing on average by approximately 47 bison per year from 1893 to 2006.
Please note that these average rates of change indicate the average increase or decrease in the bison population per year over the specified time periods.