Ecosystem+Curriculum+and+Standards

State Core Curriculum Framework:

6.2 An ecosystem is composed of all the populations that are living in a certain space and the

physical factors with which they interact.

6.2.a Populations in ecosystems are affected by biotic factors, such as other populations, and abiotic factors, such as soil and water supply.

6.2 b Populations in ecosystems can be categorized as producers, consumers and decomposers of organic matter.

Expected Performances (Outcomes) CMT Correlations: C4. Describe how abiotic factors, such as temperature, water and sunlight, affect the ability of plants to create their own food through photosynthesis. C5. Explain how populations are affected by predator-prey relationships.

Grade Level Expectations (Performance Standards): Predict what will happen to a population based on current trends (fires, disease, over hunting, development) and defend the prediction.
 * 1) Analyze and interpret how biotic and abiotic factors interact within a given ecosystem.
 * 2) Design and conduct a scientific investigation to explore the porosity and permeability of soils and their ability to support different plant life.
 * 3) Defend the statement, “The sun is the main source of energy on Earth.”
 * 4) Express in general terms how plants and other photosynthetic organisms use the sun’s energy.
 * 5) Investigate and report on the effects of abiotic factors on a plant’s ability to photosynthesize.
 * 6) Compare and contrast how energy and matter flow in a Connecticut ecosystem, emphasizing the interactions among producers, consumers and decomposers.
 * 7) Identify local examples of predator-prey relationships and justify the impact of each type of population on the other.
 * 8) Create an interpret graphs that illustrate the fluctuation of populations over time.
 * 9) Distinguish a food chain from a food web and identify local examples of each.
 * 10) Explain the impact of environmental conditions such as climate, elevation, topography or water quality on food chains.