* Smarter Balanced ‘Assowsment Consortium Facilitator says: “As you can see, changing one component of an ecosystem impacts the ecosystem ‘as a whole. This applies to everyone, even if you live in a city.For example, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, at least one-third of the world’s agricultural crops. depend upon pollination provided by insects and other animals.So if something happens to those pollinators, then it has an impact on the amount of food available to everyone in the world.Can anyone think of other ways humans and the environment are interconnected?” [Take two to three minutes to elicit student responses. Correct responses will vary. Correct, responses might include: + When scientists create ways to grow crops more efficiently, it has a positive impact on food costs. ‘+ National parks are designated by humans. The wildlife in those parks benefit from this designation because they are preserved and protected. ‘+ Humans can predict which areas are going to be prone to things like earthquakes, and this can influence whether or not we settle in those areas. Facilitator says: “You will learn more about environmental interdependence in the performance task you will be completing. You are now ready to complete your performance task.”