Topics Explored: Biodiversity, Tragedy of the Commons, Riparian Ecosystems, Claim-Evidence-Reasoning, Percent Change
This case study explores the life history of beavers (Castor canadensis), the largest rodent in North America and one of nature’s greatest ecosystem engineers. This case study also explores the importance of beavers in the foundation of America, their exploitation and population decline, their eventual return, and current conflicts with humans. Answer key included.
Case Study: Beavers (Teacher & Student Edition)
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(1 Teacher Edition and 1 Student Edition)Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
HS-LS2-1. Use mathematical and/or computational representations to support explanations of factors that affect carrying capacity of ecosystems at different scales.
HS-LS2-2. Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales.
HS-LS2-6. Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.
HS-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
HS-ESS2-5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.
HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.AP® Environmental Science Learning Objectives:
1.3 Describe the global distribution and principal environmental aspects of aquatic biomes.
1.4 Explain the steps and reservoir interactions in the carbon cycle.
1.7 Explain the steps and reservoir interactions in the hydrologic cycle.
2.2 Describe ecosystem services. Describe the results of human disruptions to ecosystem services.
2.6 Describe how organisms adapt to their environment.
5.1 Explain the concept of the tragedy of the commons.
8.2 Describe the impacts of human activities on aquatic ecosystems.
9.9 Explain how species become endangered and strategies to combat the problem.
9.10 Explain how human activities affect biodiversity and strategies to combat the problem.AP® Environmental Science Practices:
1: Explain environmental concepts, processes, and models presented in written format.
2: Analyze visual representations of environmental concepts and processes.
3: Analyze sources of information about environmental issues.
4: Analyze research studies that test environmental principles.
5: Analyze and interpret quantitative data represented in tables, charts, and graphs.
6: Apply quantitative methods to address environmental concepts.
7: Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems.AP® is a registered trademark registered by the College Board®. This work/product/service has been developed independently from and is not endorsed by the College Board® .