MS_LS2.A (B), (C) - Competition in Ecosystems - FINAL (WND 1/9/2014)

Module: Competition in Ecosystems

DCI: LS2.A (B) In any ecosystem, organisms and populations with similar requirements for food, water, oxygen, or other resources may compete with each other for limited resources, access to which consequently constrains their growth and reproduction.

DCI: LS2.A © Growth of organisms and population increases are limited by access to resources.

PE: 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.]

This comes directly after a portion of the standard that reads: 

Organisms, and populations of organisms, are dependent on their environmental interactions both with other living things and with nonliving factors

The ideas we see in this standard are: 

- in any ecosystem, individual organisms or whole populations may compete with one another when their required resources are limited in quantity. 

- when individuals or populations are in competition with one another, their overall growth and reproduction are constricted.

-an individual organism cannot grow when its resources are limited

- populations cannot increase in size when their resources are limited

Again, we will have to provide data on changes to individual organisms or entire populations and tie that back to the availability of resources and the likelihood that there was competition between. 

Possible Question Starters:

"Eagles and grizzly bears both feed on the same species of salmon in the same location.  Which of the following would result in competition between the grizzly bear and the salmon?"

correct answer - there is a decline in the number of salmon in the stream

incorrect answer - some of the grizzly bears move to another area 

"The graph shows changes in the populations of lemmings and weasels over the period of 9 years.   **We need a graph of population changes to organisms which compete, not predator/prey**

Which of the following best explain the changes in the population between days 2-4?

correct answer - availability of food resources, etc. **NEEDS WORK**