Nature of Science:
Assessing risks and benefits associated with scientific research—the use of biological control has associated risk and requires verification by tightly controlled experiments before it is approved. (4.8)
Understandings:
Introduced alien species can escape into local ecosystems and become invasive
Competitive exclusion and the absence of predators can lead to reduction in the numbers of endemic species when alien species become invasive
Pollutants become concentrated in the tissues of organisms at higher trophic levels by biomagnification
Macroplastic and microplastic debris has accumulated in marine environments
Applications:
Study of the introduction of cane toads in Australia and one other local example of the introduction of an alien species
Discussion of the trade-off between control of the malarial parasite and DDT pollution
Case study of the impact of marine plastic debris on Laysan albatrosses and one other named example
Skills:
Analysis of data illustrating the causes and consequences of biomagnification
Evaluation of eradication programmes and biological control as measures to reduce the impact of alien specie