BHS Biology Guide

Population Ecology

Biology

Quarter 4

McGraw Hill Module 4

● How changes to the carrying capacity of a population may affect the biodiversity of that ecosystem. Planning for this investigation In the investigation plan, students describe: ● The abiotic or biotic factors being investigated. ● The anticipated effect the abiotic or biotic factors will have on the carrying capacity of the population being investigated ● How changes may impact the overall biodiversity of the ecosystem for the population being investigated. Collecting the data Students collect and record data on numbers and types of organisms are represented: ● The population changes gathered from historical data or simulations of ecosystems at different scales and ● Data on numbers and types of organisms as well as boundaries, resources, and climate Refning the design Students evaluate their assessment including: ● Assessment of the accuracy and precision of the data, as well as limitations (e.g., cost, risk, time,) of the investigation, and make suggestions and refnement ● Assessment of the ability of the data to provide the evidence required If necessary, students refne the investigational plan to ● Produce more generalizable data about factors that affect biodiversity and populations. Analyzing and Interpreting Data: Organizing Data Students organize data that represents: ● The population changes gathered from historical data or simulations of ecosystems at different scales and ● Data on numbers and types of organisms as well as boundaries, resources, and climate Identifying Relationships Students use tools, technologies, and/or models to analyze the data and identify and describe relationships in the datasets, including: ● Evidence to support the explanation and identify factors that have an effect on the carrying capacity of an ecosystem for a given population. Students analyze data to identify factors (including boundaries, resources, climate and competition) affect carrying capacity of an ecosystem and: ● Some factors have larger effects than do other factors ● That factors are interrelated ● The signifcance of a living or non living factor is dependent on the scale at which it occurs Interpreting Data Students use the analyzed data to: ● Identify the interdependence of factors (both living and nonliving) and resulting effect on carrying capacity and