image from Center for Biological Diversity
option C.3: Impacts of humans on ecosystems
Essential idea:
- Changes in community structure affect and are affected by organisms.
Nature of science:
- Assessing risks and benefits associated with scientific research—the use of biological control has associated risk and requires verification by tightly controlled
experiments before it is approved. (4.8)
Understandings
C 3.1 U Introduced alien species can escape into local ecosystems and become invasive.
C 3.2 U Competitive exclusion and the absence of predators can lead to reduction in the numbers of endemic species when alien species become invasive.
C 3.3 U Pollutants become concentrated in the tissues of organisms at higher trophic levels by biomagnification.
C 3.4 U Macroplastic and microplastic debris has accumulated in marine environments.
Application
C 3.1 A Study of the introduction of cane toads in Australia and one other local example of the introduction of an alien species
C 3.1 A Discussion of the trade-off between control of the malarial
parasite and DDT pollution.
parasite and DDT pollution.
C 3.3 A Case study of the impact of marine plastic debris on Laysan albatrosses and one other named species.
Skills
C 3.1 S Analysis of data illustrating the causes and consequences of biomagnification.
C 3.2 S Evaluation of eradication programmes and biological control as measures to reduce the impact of alien species.
Key Terms
Classroom Assignments:
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