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Science · Grades 9-12 · 55 minutes

Modeling ecosystem carrying capacity

Students use a simple population data set to graph how a resource limit caps a species' population over time, then explain which factors set that ceiling.

Students will be able to

  • Use a mathematical or graphical representation to show how resources limit population growth.
  • Explain how a specific factor affects an ecosystem's carrying capacity.

Standards

  • Aligned to HS-LS2-1 — Use mathematical and computational representations to support an explanation of factors that affect the carrying capacity of ecosystems at different scales.

Source

Original lesson. Original lesson and population data set written for this site.

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