NCEA Level 2 Science (90772) 2011 — page 1 of 3
Assessment Schedule – 2011
Science: Describe the factors and processes involved in the evolution of New Zealand’s plants and
animals (90772)
Evidence Statement
ONE
Evidence
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with
Excellence
Scarab beetle family are
winged, the Cromwell
chafer beetle is not
winged. This shows that
wing size did not affect
survival in the
Cromwell region.
Explains how no
advantage in flying to
get food or mates (or
other relevant selection
pressure) meant wing
size diminished.
Initial population of the
beetles in this region
was winged as a small
group of the ancestral
population moved into
this area (Founder
Effect). Different
selection pressures such
as location of food and
mates led to reduced
wing size over time as
there was no advantage
in flying and so the
Cromwell chafer beetle
lost the ability to fly.
Describes Founder Effect
AND different selection
pressure.
Founder definition must
include either.
Small population, lacking
genetic variation or not
representative of the
original population.
No selection pressure
specific example required.
Original scarab beetle
population that moved to
Cromwell was small and
so genetic variation was
lost. This population had
different selection
pressures, which resulted
in the Cromwell chafer
beetle becoming flightless.
Describes Founder Effect.
AND
Explains how no need to
fly in order to get food or
mates (or other relevant
selection pressure) meant
the Cromwell chafer beetle
became flightless.
Must have specific
example of selection
pressure
Scarab beetle family are
winged, the Cromwell
chafer beetle is not
winged. This shows that
there was no advantage in
flying for the Cromwell
chafer beetle.
Initial population of the
beetles in this region was
winged as a small group of
the ancestral population
moved into this area
(Founder Effect). Different
selection pressures such as
location of food and mates
led to reduced wing size
over time as there was no
advantage in flying, and so
the Cromwell chafer beetle
lost the ability to fly.
NCEA Level 2 Science (90772) 2011 — page 1 of 3
TWO
Original ancestral
population separated
(accept Alpine Fault or
colonising of new
shoreline, due to tides
carrying plants), with
one population north
and the other south.
Method of separation
explained, for example:
As Alpine Fault
formed, one population
(A. sinclairii) moved
north with it.
Seeds for ancestral
species of
Apophlaea were moved
by ocean currents
around South Island and
came to shore and
germinated at new
location in north of
South Island.
These new populations
had to adapt to their
new environmental
conditions, with A.
lyalli having cooler
conditions and A.
sinclairii having
warmer conditions.
Because they are
geographically isolated
no gene flow occurs
between the two
groups. This causes
them to form two
genetically different
populations, which are
no longer considered
the same species.
Describes how original
ancestral species
separated, eg:
• tectonic plates
• Alpine Fault
• ocean currents
• carried by other species.
OR
Gives an example of a
specific environmental
condition e.g.
Temperature, salinity,
exposure. But does not
give a comparison
between the two habitats.
Gives an example of a
specific environmental
condition eg, temperature,
salinity, exposure, and
compares the two habitats.
Explains how these
conditions result in new
species forming.
AND
Explains the lack of gene
flow.
Discusses that new
environmental conditions
and genetic isolation due
to separation (with
example) led to genetically
different species of red
seaweed. Must include
discussion of lack of gene
flow between the
populations.
Eg: The ancestral
population separated due
to ocean currents,
depositing it in new areas.
These new populations
had to adapt to their new
environmental conditions,
with A. lyalli having
cooler conditions and A.
sinclairii having warmer
conditions. Because they
are geographically isolated
no gene flow occurs
between the two groups.
This causes them to form
two genetically different
populations, which are no
longer the same species.
NCEA Level 2 Science (90772) 2011 — page 1 of 3
THREE
Pingao has long roots to
find water in sand or
long roots to stay in
place in high winds. It
has small leaves so that
it can conserve water
loss through the leaves.
If leaves were larger,
then plant would lose
too much water and die.
There is little fresh
water in a sand dune, so
Pingao has long roots to
look for water deep in
the sand. It also has
long narrow leaves, so
that it can reduce the
water loss by the wind
as much as possible, so
it can survive in the
extreme coastal
environment.
Describes BOTH aspects
of Pingao evolution to
survive in extreme coastal
environment.
Eg: Long roots to find
water in sand or long roots
to stay in place in high
winds.
Predation is not relevant in
this environment at the
time of evolution.
Describes BOTH aspects
of Pingao evolution to
survive in extreme coastal
environment.
AND
Explains one adaptation of
Pingao to the environment
with links to the coastal
environment.
Example:
It has small leaves so that
it can conserve water loss
through the leaves. In the
dry climate of the coast if
leaves were larger, then
plant would lose too much
water and die.
Discusses how Pingao has
adapted to the coastal
environment.
Both adaptations must be
discussed and linked to the
environment.
Eg: There is little fresh
water in a sand dune, so
Pingao has long roots to
look for water deep in the
sand. It also has long
narrow leaves, so that it
can reduce the water loss
by the wind as much as
possible, so it can survive
in the high winds in an
extreme coastal
environment.
Judgement Statement
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with Excellence
2A
2M
2E