Life Science: Biology · Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

HS-LS2-1Carrying Capacity

Performance expectation

Use mathematical and/or computational representations to support explanations of biotic and abiotic factors that affect carrying capacity of ecosystems at different scales.

What NYSED says about assessing it

Clarification statement

Emphasis is on quantitative analysis and comparison of the relationships among interdependent factors including boundaries, resources, climate and competition. Examples of mathematical comparisons could include graphs, charts, histograms, and population changes gathered from simulations or historical data sets.

Assessment boundary

Assessment does not include deriving mathematical equations to make comparisons.

The three dimensions

Every item written to HS-LS2-1 has to assess all three dimensions together, not the content alone. This is the structural change that made older practice material stop matching the exam.

Science & engineering practice

Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Disciplinary core ideas
  • LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
Crosscutting concepts
  • Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

Related performance expectations

Generate a cluster for HS-LS2-1

Phenomenon stimulus, connected items across the required types, answer key, rubric and figures drawn deterministically from a structured spec — in the format your students will sit.