MS-LS2-5 | Protecting Ecosystems and Biodiversity · NYS standard · Grade 8 test questions
Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and protecting ecosystem stability.
Clarification statement: Examples of ecosystem protections could include water purification, waste management, nutrient recycling, prevention of soil erosion, and eradication of invasive species. Examples of design solution constraints could include scientific, economic, and social considerations.
Grade 8 Science Test Questions
Released New York State Grade 8 science test questions that assess MS-LS2-5 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.
| Exam | Cluster | Question |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 Grade 8 Test | Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes | Question 48 |
| Spring 2025 Grade 8 Test | Behavior and Evolution of Guppies | Question 51 |
Vocabulary
Terms from the Middle School Science Glossary that come from this standard or from the released Grade 8 Science Test questions that assess it.
- biodiversity
- competing design solutions
- constraint
- criteria
- design solution
- ecosystem
- ecosystem services
- ecosystem stability
- empirical evidence
- energy
- eradication
- erosion
- food
- group behavior
- human impact
- invasive species
- nutrient recycling
- scientific reasoning
- social interaction
- soil erosion
- solution
- species
- stability
- test results
- waste management
- water purification
- breeding area – Spring 2025
- chemical – Spring 2025
- conservationist – Spring 2026
- disease – Spring 2025
- environment – Spring 2025
- food source – Spring 2025
- habitat – Spring 2026
- human activity – Spring 2026
- insecticide – Spring 2025
- larva – Spring 2025
- mosquito-borne disease – Spring 2025
- native species – Spring 2025
- organism – Spring 2025
- population – Spring 2026, Spring 2025
- population control – Spring 2025
- reforestation – Spring 2026
- savanna – Spring 2026
- standing water – Spring 2025
Performance Level Descriptions
Every Grade 8 Science Test question on MS-LS2-5 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.
Resources
Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-LS2-5.
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NGSS Dimensions
Performance expectation MS-LS2-5 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:
- Engaging in Argument from Evidence
- Evaluate competing design solutions based on jointly developed and agreed-upon design criteria.
- LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience
- (NYSED) Biodiversity describes the variety of species found in Earth’s ecosystems. The completeness or integrity of an ecosystem’s biodiversity is often used as a measure of its health.
- LS2.D: Social Interactions and Group Behavior
- Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size.
- LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans
- Changes in biodiversity can influence humans’ resources, such as food, energy, and medicines, as well as ecosystem services that humans rely on – for example, water purification and recycling. (secondary to MS-LS2-5)
- (NYSED) Humans impact biodiversity both positively and negatively. (secondary to MS-LS2-5)
- ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions
- A solution needs to be tested, and then modified on the basis of the test results in order to improve it. There are systematic processes for evaluating solutions with respect to how well they meet the criteria and constraints of a problem. (secondary to MS-LS2-5)
- Stability and Change
- Small changes in one part of a system might cause large changes in another part.