Ecology Crosswalk

CONCEPTS SKILLS PRODUCTS

Topic 1 - Flow of energy among organisms in an
ecosystem (HS-LS2-4)
LS2.B: Cycles of Matter and Energy Transfer in Initial model showing how energy is distributed among
Create initial model of energy flowing trophic levels
Ecosystems from primary producers to consumers
Primary producers form the lowest trophic level.
Each link only receives a small amount of available
energy from the previous

Topic 2 - Food web

(HS-LS2-4)
LS2.B: Cycles of Matter and
Energy Transfer in Ecosystems
Plants or algae form the lowest
level of the food web.
Revise models (Include food web,
Completed model depicting energy distribution and
energy percentages, trophic levels
nutrient recycling
(producers & decomposers)

Topic 3 - Factors that affect carrying capacity of ecosystems at different Research what deers need in order
scales (HS-LS2-1) to survive. Complete a lab simulation
LS2.A*: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems demonstrating effects of deer
Ecosystems have carrying capacities, which are limits to the numbers of population due to limiting factors.
organisms and populations they can support. Organisms would have the
capacity to produce populations of great size were it not for the fact that
environments and resources are finite
Formulate questions, make predictions
. from research, and answer essential
question based on research and data.
Write an argumentation using CER template.
Students will write a claim about limiting factors
affecting organism’s population growth, use
supporting evidence from research and lab data
collected, and provide reasoning.

Topic 4 - Factors that affect biodiversity and populations in

ecosystems at different scales (HS-LS2-2)
LS2.A: *stated above.
Written summary of how the other species on an
LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience
ecosystem will change following a population size change
A complex set of interactions within an ecosystem can keep its Analyze population size changes in
in one species.
numbers and types of organisms relatively constant over time at different species in response to a
stable conditions. If a modest disturbance to the ecosystem occurs, change in the ecosystem.
it may return to its original state or become very different. Extreme
fluctuations in any of the populations, however, can change
ecosystem functionality. Predict likely changes in various species
population sizes, using a food web, in
response to a change in one species.