Evaluating Competing Hypotheses on Biopesticide Effects

In a controlled laboratory study, two researchers, Dr. Patel and Dr. Li, investigated the effects of varying concentrations of a new type of biopesticide on the population dynamics of aphids, a common agricultural pest. Dr. Patel proposed that higher concentrations of the biopesticide would effectively reduce the aphid population due to its potent active ingredients. In contrast, Dr. Li hypothesized that at very high concentrations, the biopesticide could cause a rebound effect, allowing for faster reproduction rates in aphids that survive initial exposure.

After conducting experiments, the researchers observed varying results: lower concentrations indeed reduced the aphid population significantly, but interestingly, the highest concentrations of the biopesticide seemed to result in a temporary decline followed by a surge in the aphid population, validating Dr. Li's hypothesis. Analyze the two hypotheses and their consequences for pest management strategies.