Clarification Statement - S.MS.LS.2.1.CS:
Emphasis is on cause and effect relationships between resources and growth of individual organisms and the numbers of organisms in ecosystems during periods of abundant and scarce resources.

Science and Engineering Practices - 6-8.SEP4.3:
Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for phenomena.

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.MS.LS.2.1.DCI:
LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems •Organisms, and populations of organisms, are dependent on their environmental interactions both with other living things and with nonliving factors. •In any ecosystem, organisms and populations with similar requirements for food, water, oxygen, or other resources may compete with each other for limited resources, access to which consequently constrains their growth and reproduction. •Growth of organisms and population increases are limited by access to resources.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC2.10:
Cause and effect relationships can be suggested and predicted for complex natural and human designed systems by examining what is known about smaller scale mechanisms within the system.