Clarification Statement - S.MS.LS.2.2.CS:
Emphasis is on predicting patterns of interactions such as competition, predation, mutualism, and parasitism in different ecosystems in terms of the relationships among and between organisms.

Science and Engineering Practices - 6-8.SEP6.4:
Construct an explanation that includes qualitative or quantitative relationships between variables that predict phenomena.

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.MS.LS.2.2.DCI:
LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems •Similarly, predatory interactions may reduce the number oforganisms or eliminate whole populations of organisms. Mutually beneficial interactions, in contrast, may become so interdependent that each organism requires the other for survival. Although the species involved in these competitive, predatory, and mutually beneficial interactions vary across ecosystems, the patterns of interactions of organisms with their environments, both living and nonliving, are shared.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC1.11:
Patterns can be used to identify cause and effect relationships.

Clarification Statement - S.MS.LS.2.5.CS:
Examples of ecosystem protections could include water purification, waste management, nutrient recycling, prevention of soil erosion, and eradication of invasive species. Examples of design solution constraints could include scientific, economic, and soc

Science and Engineering Practices - 6-8.SEP7.2:
Evaluate competing design solutions based on jointly developed and agreed-upon design criteria.

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.MS.LS.2.5.DCI:
LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience •(NYSED) Biodiversity describes the variety of species found in Earth’s ecosystems. The completeness or integrity of an ecosystem’s biodiversity is often used as a measure of its health. LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans •Changes in biodiversity can influence humans’ resources, such as food, energy, and medicines, as well as ecosystem services that humans rely on—for example, water purification and recycling. (secondary to MS-LS2-5) •(NYSED) Humans impact biodiversity both positively and negatively.(secondary to MS-LS2-5) ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions •There are systematic processes for evaluating solutions with respect to how well they meet the criteria and constraints of a problem. (secondary to MS-LS2-5)

Crosscutting Concepts - CC6.4:
Small changes in one part of a system might cause large changes in another part.