1. Year 9 Science
Term 3 2013
Ecosystem Case Study: Mud Creek
Altered Assignment
Due Date: Thursday the 17th of October, 2013
Teacher: Ms Lawrence
Length: 1 A4 page single sided (maximum)
Task Description
In class over the next several weeks we will be looking at a case study of the Mud
Creek ecosystem and measure the effects of changes in the local environment. Your
task is to answer the following question, using the data from our in class activities to
support your conclusions.

Does the Mud Creek ecosystem fully recover from the effects of urbanisation
as it travels downstream?
What will it look like?
Your answer to your question should be structured like an opinionated essay. You
need to state your opinion and support it with evidence.
 Focus on the question you are answering (question 1 or question 2).
 Refer to specific physical, chemical and biological data from the case study to
support your answer to that question. You may use graphs, however this is not
a requirement.
 Use full sentences and paragraphs to structure your answer, like in an essay.
The table below as a guide for each paragraph of your response.
(HINT: use the table as a checklist!)
Question: Does the Mud Creek ecosystem recover from the
effects of urbanisation as it travels downstream?
Has Upper Mud Creek been effected by urbanisation? (Is it less
healthy than Mud Tributary) By how much?
Is Lower Mud Creek healthier than Upper Mud Creek? If so, by
how much?
Is Lower Mud Creek as healthy as Mud Tributary?
Why do we see differences in stream health between the three
test sites?
A draft sheet for this task is given on the next page to guide your work.

2. Marking Guide
By the end of Year 9, students explain chemical processes and natural radioactivity in terms of atoms and energy
transfers and describe examples of important chemical reactions. They describe models of energy transfer and apply
these to explain phenomena. They explain global features and events in terms of geological processes and
timescales. They analyse how biological systems function and respond to external changes with reference to
interdependencies, energy transfers and flows of matter. They describe social and technological factors that have
influenced scientific developments and predict how future applications of science and technology may affect people’s
lives.
Students design questions that can be investigated using a range of inquiry skills. They design methods that include
the control and accurate measurement of variables and systematic collection of data and describe how they
considered ethics and safety. They analyse trends in data, identify relationships between variables and reveal
inconsistencies in results. They analyse their methods and the quality of their data, and explain specific actions to
improve the quality of their evidence. They evaluate others’ methods and explanations from a scientific perspective
and use appropriate language and representations when communicating their findings and ideas to specific
audiences.
A
B
C
Achieving at year level.
D
E
Analyse how biological systems respond to external changes.
Examined factors that affect
Some factors that affect
No factors relating to population
population size.
population size described.
size referred to.
Analyse biological systems with reference to interdependencies, energy transfers and flows of matter.
Examined how energy loss
Considered how energy must
The role of energy in ecosystem
affects the sustainability of an
be replaced to maintain the
sustainability not considered.
ecosystem.
sustainability of an ecosystem.
Use investigations of
Quantitatively investigate how
Change of ecosystems not
ecosystems to make quantitative
ecosystems change as a result
investigated.
statements regarding changes.
of events.
Analyse trends in data, identify relationships between variables and reveal inconsistencies in results.
Described sample properties to
Analysed data for trends and
Data not analysed for trends and
predict characteristics of the
patterns.
patterns.
larger population.
Use multiple types of data to
Use sample data to develop
No modelling of changes in
develop models of changes in
models of changes in
population attempted.
population.
population.
Predict how future applications of science and technology may affect people’s lives.
Quantify the impacts of human
Impacts of human activity on
The impacts of human activity on
activity on an ecosystem.
an ecosystem described
an ecosystem were not
qualitatively.
considered.
Use appropriate language and representations when communicating their findings and ideas to specific
audiences.
Evidence based arguments
Constructed evidence based
Argument not based in evidence.
constructed using results as
arguments.
basis.
Secondary sources used to
Secondary sources used to
Secondary sources not referred to.
validate conclusions.
help explain scientific
concepts.

3. Assignment: Ecosystem Case Study
Name: ________________________
(Title) ……………………………………………………………………..
(Introduction) Do you think Mud Creek recovers from urbanisation as it travels
downstream?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
(Paragraph 1) Has Upper Mud Creek been effected by urbanisation? (Is it less healthy
than Mud Tributary?). By how much?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
(Paragraph 2) Is Lower Mud Creek healthier than Upper Mud Creek? If so, by how
much?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
(Paragraph 3) Is Lower Mud Creek as healthy as Mud Tributary?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
(Paragraph 4) Why do we see differences in stream health between the three test sites?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
(Conclusion) Does Mud Creek recover as it travels downstream?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………