Background: In nature, when the population size is small, there is usually plenty of food and other resources for each individual. When there is plenty of food and other resources, organisms can easily reproduce, so the birth rate is high. As the population increases, the food supply, or the supply of another necessary resource, may decrease. When necessary resources, such as food, decrease, some individuals will die. Overall, the population cannot reproduce at the same rate, so the birth rates drop. This will cause the population growth rate to decrease.

Situation: The lioness was sitting on a rock looking hopefully out across the flat grasslands. The Savannah was in the midst of a drought. Water hole were small and scarce and most of the grass had died. Most of the herds had moved on to other areas. Many of those who hadn't died.

Question: Were the populations of grazing animals decreasing or increasing?

Situation: The lioness was sitting on a rock looking hopefully out across the flat grasslands. The Savannah was in the midst of a drought. Water hole were small and scarce and most of the grass had died. Most of the herds had moved on to other areas. Many of those who hadn't died.

Question: Is the birth rate increasing or decreasing for grazing animals?

Situation: The lioness was sitting on a rock looking hopefully out across the flat grasslands. The Savannah was in the midst of a drought. Water hole were small and scarce and most of the grass had died. Most of the herds had moved on to other areas. Many of those who hadn't died.

Question: Is food scarce or plentiful for grazing animals?

Situation: The lioness was sitting on a rock looking hopefully out across the flat grasslands. The Savannah was in the midst of a drought. Water hole were small and scarce and most of the grass had died. Most of the herds had moved on to other areas. Many of those who hadn't died.

Question: Is food scarce or plentiful for lions?

Situation: The lioness was sitting on a rock looking hopefully out across the flat grasslands. The Savannah was in the midst of a drought. Water hole were small and scarce and most of the grass had died. Most of the herds had moved on to other areas. Many of those who hadn't died.

Question: Is the birthrate increasing or decreasing for lions?

Situation: The lioness was sitting on a rock looking hopefully out across the flat grasslands. The Savannah was in the midst of a drought. Water hole were small and scarce and most of the grass had died. Most of the herds had moved on to other areas. Many of those who hadn't died.

Question: Are resources increasing or decreasing for the grazers?

Situation: The lioness was sitting on a rock looking hopefully out across the flat grasslands. The Savannah was in the midst of a drought. Water hole were small and scarce and most of the grass had died. Most of the herds had moved on to other areas. Many of those who hadn't died.

Question: Are resources increasing or decreasing for the lions?

Situation: The lioness was sitting on a rock looking hopefully out across the flat grasslands. The Savannah was in the midst of a drought. Water hole were small and scarce and most of the grass had died. Most of the herds had moved on to other areas. Many of those who hadn't died.

Question: Are death rates increasing or decreasing for the lions?

Situation: The lioness was sitting on a rock looking hopefully out across the flat grasslands. The Savannah was in the midst of a drought. Water hole were small and scarce and most of the grass had died. Most of the herds had moved on to other areas. Many of those who hadn't died.

Question: Are death rates increasing or decreasing for the grazers?

Situation: The lioness was sitting on a rock looking hopefully out across the flat grasslands. The Savannah was in the midst of a drought. Water hole were small and scarce and most of the grass had died. Most of the herds had moved on to other areas. Many of those who hadn't died.

Question: Will lion population increase or decrease if rain comes and grass grows?