NSES Content Standard C
Life Science: The interdependence of organisms Grades 9-12, page 186 Living organisms have the capacity to produce populations of infinite
size, but environments and resources are finite. This fundamental tension
has profound effects on the interactions between organisms.
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Benchmark 5D The Living Environment:
Interdependence of Life
Grades 9-12, page 117
Ecosystems can be reasonably stable over hundreds or thousands of years.
As any population of organisms grows, it is held in check by one or more
environmental factors: depletion of food or nesting sites, increased loss
to increased numbers of predators, or parasites. If a disaster such as
flood or fire occurs, the damaged ecosystem is likely to recover in stages
that eventually result in a system similar to the original one.
Benchmark 5E The Living Environment:
Flow of Matter and Energy
Grades 9-12, page 121
The amount of life any environment can support is limited by the available
energy, water, oxygen, and minerals, and by the ability of ecosystems to
recycle the residue of dead organic materials. Human activities and technology
can change the flow and reduce the fertility of the land.