1. Benchmark 9.4.2.1.1 Describe factors that affect the carrying capacity of an ecosystem and relate these to population growth.
1.1. Objective 1. I can explain what birth rate and death rate are and how they each affect population growth.
1.1.1. Vocabulary
1.1.1.1. Life History Table
1.1.1.2. Population
1.1.1.3. Proportion
1.1.1.4. Birth Rate (mx)
1.1.1.5. Death Rate (qx)
1.1.1.6. Reproductive rate (r0)
1.1.2. Skills
1.1.2.1. Able to recognize and calculate terms in a life history table
1.1.2.2. Can tell whether a population is increasing or decreasing based on a life history table
1.1.2.3. Able to read and understand a basic line graph
1.2. Objective 2. I can explain what carrying capacity is.
1.2.1. Vocabulary
1.2.1.1. Carrying Capacity
1.2.1.2. Population
1.2.2. Skills
1.2.2.1. Able to create a concept map based on the concept of carrying capacity
1.3. Objective 3. I can describe the environmental factors that affect the carrying capacity of an ecosystem and relate these to population growth.
1.3.1. Vocabulary
1.3.1.1. Population
1.3.1.2. Carrying Capacity
1.3.1.3. Limiting Factor
1.3.1.3.1. Density Dependent Limiting Factor
1.3.1.3.2. Density Independent Limiting Factor
1.3.2. Skills
1.3.2.1. Able to recognize which environmental factors are density-dependent, which are independent,
1.3.2.2. Able to create a concept map based on carrying capacity and including limiting factors
2. Benchmark 9.4.2.1.2 Explain how ecosystems can change as a result of the introduction of one or more new species.
2.1. Objective 4. I can predict how an ecosystem will change as a result of the introduction of one or more new species by investigating what will happen given a scenario.
2.1.1. Vocabulary
2.1.1.1. Invasive species
2.1.1.2. Inquiry
2.1.1.3. Hypothesis
2.1.2. Skills
2.1.2.1. Students will investigate their chosen invasive species (in groups) to assess its impact on the environment
2.1.2.2. Students will make a hypothesis
2.1.2.3. Students will analyze empirical research and draw conclusions
2.1.2.4. Students will create a PowerPoint presentation
2.1.2.5. Students will work respectfully and cooperatively within their peer groups