MS-LS2-1

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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.

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Regents exam question on MS-LS2-1 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Given evidence from data, identify a resource that an organism or a population of organisms needs.

Level 2: Identify the evidence from given data for the effects of resource availability on organisms and/or populations of organisms in an ecosystem.

Level 3: Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.

Level 4: Gather, analyze and interpret data to distinguish between correlation and causation relationships and to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-LS2-1.

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Grade 8 Science Test Questions

Released New York State Grade 8 science test questions that assess MS-LS2-1 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

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NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation MS-LS2-1 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

• Analyzing and Interpreting Data
  • Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

• LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
  • Organisms, and populations of organisms, are dependent on their environmental interactions both with other living things and with nonliving factors.
  • 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. Growth of organisms and population increases are limited by access to resources.

Crosscutting Concepts

• Cause and Effect
  • Cause and effect relationships may be used to predict phenomena in natural or designed systems.

Connections to Other Standards

MS-LS2-1 connections to ELA, math, and other science standards as outlined by the NYS Education Department:

Page contributors: Caroline Leonard, Conrad Richman, Shirley Shameen

MS | MS. Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems