Distinguished - Tables 1 and 2 are accurately completed based on data collected through laboratory experimentation.

Proficient - Tables 1 and 2 are completed based on data collected through laboratory experimentation. One minor error, which may include lack of units, is present in the tables.

Basic - Tables 1 and 2 are completed based on data collected through laboratory experimentation. Two errors or omissions, which may include lack of units, are present in the tables.

Below Expectations - Tables 1 and 2 are completed based on data collected through laboratory experimentation. Three or more errors or omissions, which may include lack of units, are present in the tables.

Non-Performance - Fails to complete Tables 1 and 2.

Distinguished - Accurately and thoroughly explains how the ecosystem was affected by the missing species in each of the four rounds of the demonstration.

Proficient - Explains how the ecosystem was affected by the missing species in each of the four rounds of the demonstration. Although the response is thorough, minor details are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Explains how the ecosystem was affected by the missing species in each of the four rounds of the demonstration. Intermediate details are missing or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Explains how the ecosystem was affected by the missing species in the rounds of the demonstration. Major details are missing or inaccurate.

Non-Performance - Fails to explain how the ecosystem was affected by the missing species.

Distinguished - Provides at least one human action that leads to extinction for each of the four species: lichens, trees, flowers, and bees. Each action is appropriate for the extinction of the indicated species.

Proficient - Provides at least one human action that leads to extinction for each of the four species: lichens, trees, flowers, and bees. One action is inappropriate for the extinction of the indicated species.

Basic - Provides at least one human action that leads to extinction for each of the four species: lichens, trees, flowers, and bees. Two actions are inappropriate for the extinction of the indicated species.

Below Expectations - Provides at least one human action that leads to extinction for each of the four species: lichens, trees, flowers, and bees. Three or more actions are inappropriate for the extinction of the indicated species.

Non-Performance - Fails to provide at least one human action that leads to the extinction of each of the four species: lichens, trees, flowers, and bees.

Distinguished - Accurately provides three specific actions that humans can take to minimize human impact on the ecosystem and survival of lichens, trees, flowers, and bees.

Proficient - Provides three specific actions that humans can take to minimize human impact on the ecosystem and survival of lichens, trees, flowers, and bees. One action is inappropriate for the purpose.

Basic - Provides three specific actions that humans can take to minimize human impact on the ecosystem and survival of lichens, trees, flowers, and bees. Two actions are inappropriate for the purpose.

Below Expectations - Provides three actions that humans can take to minimize human impact on the ecosystem and survival of lichens, trees, flowers, and bees. All three actions are inappropriate for the purpose.

Non-Performance - Fails to provide three actions that humans can take to minimize human impact on the ecosystem and survival of lichens, trees, flowers, and bees.

Distinguished - Develops a logical hypothesis related to which pot will contain the highest biodiversity.

Proficient - Develops a mostly logical hypothesis related to which pot will contain the highest biodiversity. Minor errors in hypothesis format are present.

Basic - Develops a hypothesis related to which pot will contain the highest biodiversity. Major errors in hypothesis format are present.

Below Expectations - Develops a hypothesis related to which pot will contain the highest biodiversity. Hypothesis fails to properly address the experimental question.

Non-Performance - Fails to develop a hypothesis related to which pot will contain the highest biodiversity.

Distinguished - Accurately accepts or rejects the hypothesis proposed in Question 1 and thoroughly explains how this was determined.

Proficient - Accurately accepts or rejects the hypotheses proposed in Question 1 and explains how this was determined. Minor details of the explanation are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Accurately accepts or rejects the hypotheses proposed in Question 1 and explains how this was determined. Intermediate details of the explanation are missing or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Accepts or rejects the hypotheses proposed in Question 1 and explains how this was determined. Explanation contradicts the acceptance or rejection of the hypothesis or major inaccuracies are present in the explanation.

Non-Performance - Fails to accept or reject the hypothesis proposed in Question 1.

Distinguished - Accurately determines whether each pot would represent a healthy ecosystem based on the biodiversity of flowers and thoroughly describes how this was determined.

Proficient - Determines whether each pot would represent a healthy ecosystem based on the biodiversity of flowers and describes how this was determined. Minor details are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Determines whether each pot would represent a healthy ecosystem based on the biodiversity of flowers and describes how this was determined. Intermediate details are missing or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Determines whether each pot would represent a healthy ecosystem based on the biodiversity of flowers and describes how this was determined. Major details are missing or inaccurate.

Non-Performance - Fails to determine whether each pot would represent a healthy ecosystem based on the biodiversity of flowers and describe how this was determined.

Distinguished - Utilizes at least one scholarly source to accurately and thoroughly describe how biodiversity contributes to the overall health of an ecosystem and provides specific examples to support the position.

Proficient - Utilizes at least one scholarly source to describe how biodiversity contributes to the overall health of an ecosystem and provides specific examples to support the position. Minor details are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Utilizes at least one scholarly source to describe how biodiversity contributes to the overall health of an ecosystem and provides specific examples to support the position. Intermediate details are missing or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Utilizes at least one source to describe how biodiversity contributes to the overall health of an ecosystem, but may not provide examples to support the position. Major details are missing or inaccurate, or the source is not appropriate or scholarly.

Non-Performance - Fails to describe how biodiversity contributes to the overall health of an ecosystem.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors, and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors, and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors, which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors, which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting to reference sources.

Proficient - Uses APA formatting to reference sources. However, references contain minor errors.

Basic - Uses basic APA formatting to reference sources. However, references do not meet all APA requirements.

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the references difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.