OpenSciEd Ecosystems

Amount of seeds _________.

• Decreased

• Increased

• Stayed the Same

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Choose the claim that you think provides the BEST and most complete explanation for the changes observed in the three graphs above.

• The amount of seeds declined because the finches ate them.

• The number of finches declined because there were fewer seeds to eat.

• Lower rainfall caused the amount of seeds to decline but did not affect the finch population.

• Lower rainfall caused both the amount of seeds and the finch population to decline.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Complete your scientific explanation by supporting your claim with evidence. What data can be used to support your claim?

• The seed population decreased from 11 g/m2 to 4 g/m2 and the finch population decreased by 1200 birds.

• The number of finches decreased by about 200 birds and the number of seeds increased 5 g/m2.

• The rainfall increased about 100 mm and the finch population increased by 1200 birds.

• In one year the rainfall dropped a total of about 100 mm and the amount of seed production decreased from 11 g/m2 to 4 g/m2 and the number of finch decreased by 1200 birds.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Complete your scientific explanation by supporting your claim with reasoning: What scientific concept describes how the evidence supports your claim?

• Water is an important resource for finches. The decrease in rainfall brought down the water levels in the local lakes and streams, which decreased the amount of drinking water for the finches. This led to a decrease in finch population.

• Rain is an important resource for plants, while seeds are an important resource for the finches. The decrease in rainfall hurt the plants, so there were fewer seeds. Because there were fewer seeds, finch populations decreased.

• The rainfall decreased by about 100 mm, and the amount of seed production decreased by about 7 g/m2, which caused the finch population to decrease by 1200 birds.

• The finch population decreased by 1200 birds and the seed population decreased from 11 g/m2 to 4 g/m2.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What type of ecosystem is this?

• tundra

• desert

• wetland

Guam is a remote island in the Pacific Ocean. Most of the bird species there do not have native predators. However, humans accidentally brought a new predator to the island—brown tree snakes. These snakes eat bird eggs and adult birds, including Island Collared Doves. The figure shows how population size of Island Collared Doves has changed from 1976 to 1998, after the introduction of brown tree snakes. Which statement best explains the pattern shown by the data in the figure.

• Brown tree snakes prey on Island Collared Doves causing an increase in the Dove population.

• Brown tree snakes are mutualists with Island Collared Doves causing an increase in the Dove population.

• Brown tree snakes prey on Island Collared Doves causing a decline in the Dove population.

• Brown tree snakes have a commensal relationship with Island Collared Doves causing a decrease in the Dove population.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The scientists grew clams with and without algae. Which pattern best fits their data?

• Giant clams with algae in their cells grow more slowly than giant clams without algae.

• Giant clams with algae in their cells have smaller adults than giant clams without algae.

• Giant clams with algae in their cells grow more quickly than giant clams without algae.

• There is no difference in growth between giant clams with algae in their cells and giant clams without algae.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

What additional evidence would you need to determine that the interaction between giant clams and the algae in their cells is mutualism?

• evidence that algae are harmed by living in the cells of giant clams

• evidence that algae benefit from living in the cells of giant clams

• evidence that giant clams benefit by having algae living in their cells

• evidence that algae are not affected positively or negatively by living in the cells of giant clams

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

If the algae cells were parasites of giant clams, how do you expect the data in the table would be different?

• Giant clams with and without algae in their cells would all grow larger.

• Giant clams with algae in their cells would grow more quickly than giant clams without algae.

• Giant clams with algae in their cells would grow less than giant clams without algae in their cells.

• There would be no difference in growth between giant clams with algae in their cells and giant clams without algae.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Lola lives on a small island in Lake Erie. She loves watching the local squirrels chase each other and eat berries. She decides to plant 100 berry bushes on the island. How might the larger population of berry bushes affect the squirrel population that eats the berries?

• The squirrels will stop eating berries because there are too many.

• The larger population of berries will have no effect on the squirrel population on the island.

• The larger population of berries will cause an increase in the squirrel population on the island.

• The larger population of berries will cause a decrease in the squirrel population on the island.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4