MS - LS2.A (A) - Organism Interactions in Ecosystems - ASSIGNED (WND 1/31/2014)

Module: Organism interactions in Ecosystems

DCI: LS2.A (A):  Organisms, and populations of organisms, are dependent on their environmental interactions both with other living things and with nonliving factors. (MS-LS2-1)

MS-LS2-1.        Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.

[Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on cause and effect relationships between resources and growth of individual organisms and the numbers of organisms in ecosystems during periods of abundant and scarce resources.]

The ideas we see in this standard are: 

- organisms are dependent on their environmental interactions with other living things.

- organisms are dependent on their environmental interactions with non-living factors. 

- populations are dependent on their environmental interactions with other living things

- populations are dependent on their environmental interactions with non-living factors. 

We will have to provide data, in any form, that shows a correlation between the availability of resources (both living and non-living) and individual organisms or even entire populations.  The clarification statement tells us to stick to cause and effect relationships and either an increase or decrease in populations when resource availability changes. 

Possible Question Starters: 

"The table provides information on the habitat and diet of several organisms. 

Which of the following is an example of one organism depending on another?"

correct answer - white ibis --> frogs

incorrect answer - tree shrew --> grasses