Science 10 ) Construct an explanation and design a real-world solution to address
changing conditions and ecological succession caused by density-dependent and/or
density-independent factors.*
Unpacked Content
Scientific And Engineering Practices:
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Crosscutting Concepts: Cause and Effect
Disciplinary Core Idea: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
Analyze data on population growth to identify limiting factors, both abiotic and biotic.
Analyze data to find patterns that distinguish density-dependent from density-independent limiting factors.
Distinguish between primary and secondary ecological succession and show that an ecosystem responds to such a disturbance in a predictable manner. Analyze historical data to find patterns in an ecosystem's response to disturbance.
Design a solution to changing environmental conditions or ecological succession that accounts for density-dependent and independent factors.
Synthesize data and reasoning to evaluate potential solutions to an environmental problem.
Communicate proposed solution and support conclusions with evidence and reasoning. Teacher Vocabulary:
Population density
Dispersion
Density-independent factor
Density-dependent factor
Population growth rate
Limiting factor
Ecological succession
Primary succession
Climax community
Secondary succession
Pioneer species Knowledge:
Students know:
Factors associated with population density are important regulators of population growth.
Density-independent factors that can impact population growth (e.g., flood, drought, extreme heat or cold, tornadoes, etc.).
Density-dependent factors that can impact population growth (e.g., predation, disease, parasites, competition).
The different types of ecological succession and their causes. Primary succession is the development of a community in an area of exposed rock that does not have any topsoil (e.g., hardened lava flow).
Secondary Succession is the change that takes place after a community of organisms have been removed but the topsoil remains intact (e.g., fire, flood, etc.).
Engineering design principles. Skills:
Students are able to:
Collect and organize population growth data compiled on population growth under varying conditions related to food availability, rainfall, predation, migration, and disease.
Analyze data to categorize factors, organize data and draw conclusions about a variety of limiting factors to classify each as density-dependent or independent.
Identify a problem, assess the data, determine if enough information is provided to make an informed decision, assess whether a solution is needed, and recommend what form that solution should take.
Apply engineering design principles to the development of a solution, identifying required inputs and expected outcomes and determine how the solution will be tested and refined. Understanding:
Students understand that:
Ecosystems are constantly changing.
Changes in an ecosystem are the result of density-dependent or density-independent factors, sometimes including human activity.
By using the engineering design process, solutions to ecological problems can be developed, tested and refined. AMSTI Resources:
ASIM Module:
