This question tests understanding of predator–prey relationships, a key ecology concept on the NEX Science exam. Wolves are the natural predators of moose on Isle Royale. When the moose population was initially high, there was an abundant food supply for wolves. This allowed the wolf population to increase significantly. As the number of wolves increased, predation pressure on the moose population also increased, leading to a sharp decline in moose numbers. This inverse relationship between predator and prey populations is a classic ecological pattern. There is no evidence in the question to suggest disease, human hunting, or breeding rate differences as the primary cause. Instead, the changes in population sizes are best explained by increased predation. The NEX often assesses whether students can interpret real-world ecological data and recognize how population dynamics are influenced by natural predator–prey interactions.

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