Original PromptStudent activity with population disturbances
This resource explores the impact of environmental disturbances on resource competition among species. It defines natural and human-made disturbances, providing examples such as wildfires and deforestation. Through various analytical tasks, students will review the consequences of disturbances on food and shelter availability for species, and reflect on how invasive species affect competition for resources. The material emphasizes data interpretation regarding population trends post-disturbance, requiring students to identify 'winners' and 'losers' in survival scenarios. An integral part of the learning includes building scientific arguments using the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) framework, particularly in scenarios of habitat fragmentation. Additionally, students are encouraged to design mitigation strategies to support ecosystem recovery, fostering critical thinking and practical application of concepts.