Yaritza’s Wildlife Preserve Dilemma (MS-LS2-5)

Yaritza lives near a large wetland that is home to many species of plants and animals. Over the past few years, a nearby factory has polluted the wetland, reducing biodiversity and harming the ecosystem. Yaritza joins a local conservation group to evaluate potential solutions to restore and stabilize the wetland. The group proposes three solutions:

• GOT IT!

• I don't get it.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Which solution is most likely to directly restore biodiversity in the wetland?

• Building a barrier to prevent factory runoff

• Planting native vegetation to rebuild habitats

• Introducing predatory species

• Removing all species from the wetland and starting over

Answer explanation

Building a barrier is effective at reducing pollution but does not actively restore habitats or increase biodiversity. Planting native vegetation helps restore habitats, providing food and shelter for local wildlife, which directly enhances biodiversity in the wetland. Other options either do not address habitat needs or could harm the ecosystem.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

What could be a potential risk of introducing a new predatory species?

• It might fail to survive in the wetland.

• It could disrupt the ecosystem by preying on native species.

• It will have no effect on invasive species.

• It would increase biodiversity immediately.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Why is it important to maintain biodiversity in the wetland?

• Biodiversity increases the risk of invasive species.

• Biodiversity helps ecosystems remain stable and resilient to change.

• Biodiversity has no effect on ecosystems.

• It prevents any species from going extinct.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Match each proposed solution to its potential effect:

• Building a barrier

• Reduces pollution entering the wetland.

• Planting native vegetation

• Rebuilds habitats and supports native species.

• Introducing new predators

• Could control invasive species but may harm native populations.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Categorize the following actions as "Promotes Biodiversity" or "Harms Biodiversity":

Groups:

(a) Promotes Biodiversity

,

(b) Harms Biodiversity

• Allowing invasive species to grow unchecked

• Planting native trees and shrubs

• Reducing chemical runoff into water bodies

• Overharvesting fish from the wetland

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Complete the sentence by selecting the correct option: Building a barrier addresses ​ (a)   .

• pollution
• invasive species

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Complete the sentence by selecting the correct option: Biodiversity increases the stability of an ecosystem by ​ ​ (a)   .

• creating more competition

• promoting a variety of interactions

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Complete the sentence by selecting the correct option: Planting native vegetation supports biodiversity by ​ (a)   .

• providing habitats
• removing predators

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Explain why introducing a new predatory species might not always be beneficial for controlling invasive species.

• It could lead to the extinction of native species.

• It might not adapt to the new environment.

• It could become an invasive species itself.

• All of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5