MS-LS2-2 | Interactions in Ecosystems
Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms in a variety of ecosystems.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on predicting patterns of interactions such as competition, predation, mutualism, and parasitism in different ecosystems in terms of the relationships among and between organisms.
Performance Level Descriptions
PLDs communicate the knowledge and skills expected of students to demonstrate proficiency in each Learning Standard. NYS assessments classify student performance into one of four levels.
Resources
Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-LS2-2.

Assessment
What assessment of MS-LS2-2 might look like on a NY state exam.
- Ecosystem of the Eastern Bluebird Q44
- Ecosystem of the Eastern Bluebird Q45
- Ecosystem of the Eastern Bluebird Q46
NGSS Dimensions
Performance expectation MS-LS2-2 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:
- Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
- Construct an explanation that includes qualitative or quantitative relationships between variables that predict phenomena.
- LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
- Similarly, predatory interactions may reduce the number of organisms or eliminate whole populations of organisms. Mutually beneficial interactions, in contrast, may become so interdependent that each organisms requires the other for survival. Although the species involved in these competitive, predatory, and mutually beneficial interactions vary across ecosystems, the patterns of interactions of organisms with their environments, both living and nonliving, are shared.
- Patterns
- Patterns can be used to identify cause and effect relationships.