Lizard numbers in the Mercury Islands

Lizard numbers in the Mercury Islands

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources

Scientists wanted to find out how the numbers of lizards on the Mercury Islands changed after they had killed all the rats.

They trapped lizards so they could count them. The graph shows their data.

 

bar graph of lizards caught in traps over time  

a)
How many lizards were caught per 100 traps in 1989? __________  
 
b)
All rats were taken off the Mercury Islands in 1986.
How does this appear to have affected the number of lizards on the islands?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
c)
How do you think the rats affected the lizard numbers on the islands before 1986?
 
 
 
 
 
 
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper.
Level:
3
Curriculum info: 
Science, Communicating in science, Living World
Keywords: 
Life processes, endangered species, lizards, rats, graph interpretation, conservation
Description of task: 
Students are provided with a graph of lizard numbers on an island. They answer three questions about this graph.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to discuss noticing patterns in data shown in a graph.
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Making Better Sense: 
Generic
Answers/responses: 
  Y6 (11/1998)
a) 23 ± 1 moderate
b) Numbers of lizards increased/they increased. difficult
c) Rats eat lizards/compete for their food. difficult