MS-LS2-4 | Ecosystem Impacts on Population

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Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.

Clarification statement: Emphasis is on recognizing patterns in data and making warranted inferences about shifts in populations due to changes in the ecosystem.

Assessment

What assessment of MS-LS2-4 might look like on a NY state exam.

Exam	Cluster	Question
Spring 2026	Ammonia and the Nitrogen Cycle	Question 28
	Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes	Question 47
Spring 2025	The Lake Erie Ecosystem	Question 11
	Behavior and Evolution of Guppies	Question 50
Spring 2024	Respiration	Question 42
	Ecosystem of the Eastern Bluebird	Question 47

Performance Level Descriptions

PLDs communicate the knowledge and skills expected of students to demonstrate proficiency in each Learning Standard. NYS assessments classify student performance into one of four levels.

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Level 1: Identify an argument that describes how a change in a physical or biological component of an ecosystem will have an effect on a population.

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Level 2: Identify the empirical evidence that supports the argument that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.

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Level 3: Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.

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Level 4: Construct an argument, supported by empirical evidence, that supports the claim that human activities cause changes to physical and biological components of an ecosystem, which affect populations.

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-LS2-4.

This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.

NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation MS-LS2-4 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

• Engaging in Argument from Evidence
  • Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

• LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience
  • Ecosystems are dynamic in nature; their characteristics can vary over time. Disruptions to any physical or biological component of an ecosystem can lead to shifts in all its populations.

Crosscutting Concepts

• Stability and Change
  • Small changes in one part of a system might cause large changes in another part.

Page contributors: Conrad Richman, Caroline Leonard, Shirley Shameen

MS | MS. Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems