Ecology Assessment 2014
Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
The focus of the standard is to:
Investigate a pattern in an ecological community, with community.
This involves the following (any specific examples are for the context of the practice report on kaka):
For Achieved
For Merit
Carry out research into the effect of introduced
mammals on kaka in at least two named communities
Carry out research into the effect of introduced
mammals on kaka in at least two named communities
Identify the pattern of the effect of introduced
mammals on kaka in the specific ecological
communities studied
Identify the pattern of the effect of introduced
mammals on kaka in the specific ecological
communities studied
Relating this pattern to one environmental factor (the
environmental factor may be abiotic or biotic e.g.
predation
Relating this pattern to one environmental factor (the
environmental factor may be abiotic or biotic e.g.
predation
Describe how the environmental factor affects kākā and
at least one other interrelated species within the
community (e.g. the predator)
Describe how the environmental factor affects kākā and
at least one other interrelated species within the
community (e.g. the predator)
Provide a reason to explain how or why the biology of
the kākā relates to the pattern (or absence).
The biology relates to at least one structural,
behavioural or physiological adaptation of the
organism.
Adaptations (structural, behavioural or
physiological) relate to the environmental factor
and an interrelationship with an organism of
another species (e.g. competition, predation, or
mutualism).
For Excellence
Carry out research into the effect of introduced
mammals on kaka in at least two named communities
Identify the pattern of the effect of introduced
mammals on kaka in the specific ecological
communities studied
Relating this pattern to one environmental factor (the
environmental factor may be abiotic or biotic e.g.
predation
Describe how the environmental factor affects kākā and
at least one other interrelated species within the
community (e.g. the predator)
Provide a reason to explain how or why the biology of
the kākā relates to the pattern (or absence).
The biology relates to at least one structural,
behavioural or physiological adaptation of the organism.
Adaptations (structural, behavioural or
physiological) relate to the environmental factor and an
interrelationship with an organism of another species
(e.g. competition, predation, or mutualism).
Use an environmental factor (abiotic or biotic (e.g.
predation), the biology of the kākā and at least one
other interrelated species (e.g. rats, stoats) to explain
the pattern (or absence).
The structure of the report is up to you but may look something like:
Title:
Investigation into the effects of introduced mammals on the distribution of
kaka in Waipapa forest and Whirinaki forest
Introduction:
This investigation looks at the effects of rats (Rattus exulans) and stoats
(Mustela erminea) on the distribution on kaka (Nestor meridonalis) in Waipapa
forest and Whirinaki forest in the North Island of New Zealand.
Biology of the kaka (Nestor meridonalis):
The kaka (Nestor meridonalis) is…………….(explanation of the niche of the kaka,
focussing on aspects that are relevant to the purpose of the investigation)
Biology of the rat (Rattus exulans):
The rat (Rattus exulans) is……………………………….(explanation of the niche of the
rat, focussing on aspects that are relevant to the purpose of the investigation)
Biology of the stoat (Mustela erminea):
The stoat (Mustela erminea)is ……………………(explanation of the niche of the
stoat, focussing on aspects that are relevant to the purpose of the
investigation)
Communities investigated:
The communities investigated are Whirinaki forest and Waipapa forest.
Whirinaki forest
Whirinaki forest is………….. (where it is – could include a map, abiotic factors
found at this place, any other relevant information)
Waipapa forest
Waipapa forest is………….. (where it is – could include a map, abiotic factors
found at this place, any other relevant information)
Effects of introduced mammals on kaka populations in Whirinaki forest and
Waipapa forest:
States the pattern
Kākā are found in higher numbers in areas that have no (or low numbers of)
introduced mammals, such as rats and stoats. This is shown by the graph/table
in Appendix 1.The data shows that …………..
Kaka, stoats and rats are often found in the same physical areas. The
interrelationships that exist between the species are predominantly predatorprey relationships with …………………………..
Interrelationships
between kaka, stoats and
There is also competition between………………………………
rats
Merit
Excellence
Explanantion of how or why the biology (adaptations, interrelationships) of at
least two species relate to/cause the pattern
Discussion of how environmental factors (abiotic and/or biotic) might affect the
organisms in the community (kaka, stoats, rats), and how this relates to the
observed pattern.
 Use the environmental factor (abiotic or biotic (e.g. predation), the biology
of the kākā and at least one other interrelated species (e.g. rats, stoats) to
explain the pattern (or absence).
Appendices with data referred to in the text/used to determine the pattern or
biology of the organisms
Bibliography (new page)
This is an example of how you could set out your report. The species used as
examples are not necessarily the species that you will use in your practice
report.