Analyze how a tiny human action, such as littering, can disrupt an ecosystem by triggering unintended biological processes like mold growth.

• NGSS: MS-LS2-4 (Ecosystem dynamics, functioning, and resilience)

Explain the roles of different organisms, including decomposers and consumers, in spreading contaminants through an ecosystem.

• NGSS: MS-LS2-3 (Energy flow and matter cycling in ecosystems)

Using the Carlsbad Caverns incident as a case study, develop a model to describe the impact of foreign substances (like food waste) on a fragile ecosystem.

• NGSS: MS-LS2-5 (Evaluate solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services)

Evaluate human behaviors contributing to ecosystem disruption and propose strategies for minimizing human impact in protected natural environments.

• NGSS: MS-ESS3-3 (Design solutions for reducing human impacts on Earth's systems)

Investigate how non-biodegradable waste affects the food web in ecosystems such as caves, leading to changes in organism populations and overall ecosystem health.

• NGSS: MS-LS2-1 (Interdependent relationships in ecosystems)