Science Year 8 - Unit 1 - Lesson 24

Population Changes and Introduced Species

Use this worksheet after reading the lesson to practise the key ideas and prove you can meet the success criteria.

Name

Date

Class

1. Key Ideas

Why did rabbits take over Australia? What happens when a new predator arrives? This lesson examines how populations change and why introduced species can cause enormous problems for native wildlife.

populations change due to factors such as food, predators and disease
introduced species often thrive because they lack natural predators

2. Success Criteria

By the end, you should be able to:

populations change due to factors such as food, predators and disease
introduced species can outcompete or prey on native species
Australia has major problems with rabbits, cane toads, foxes and cats

3. Key Terms

PopulationAll the organisms of the same species living in a particular area at the same time.

Introduced speciesA species that humans have brought to an area where it does not naturally occur.

Native speciesA species that naturally occurs in an area and has not been brought there by humans.

PredatorAn animal that hunts and eats other animals.

CompetitionWhen two or more organisms try to use the same limited resource, such as food or shelter.

InvasiveDescribes an introduced species that spreads quickly and causes harm to the native ecosystem.

4. Activity: Build the Lesson Map

Use the lesson to complete the table. Keep answers brief but specific.

Prompt	Your answer
Main concept
Important example
Common mistake to avoid
How this links to the next lesson

5. Short Answer Questions

1. Explain this lesson goal in your own words: "populations change due to factors such as food, predators and disease". Use one specific example from the lesson.

Core

2. Apply this idea to a new example: "introduced species can outcompete or prey on native species". Show your reasoning clearly.

Core

3. Analyse why this idea matters for understanding Population Changes and Introduced Species: "Australia has major problems with rabbits, cane toads, foxes and cats".

Reasoning

6. Extend: Apply the Idea

A student says, "I understand Population Changes and Introduced Species because I memorised the definition."

Explain why memorising a definition is not enough. Use an example from the lesson to show deeper understanding.

7. Multiple Choice

1. What is the best first step when answering a question about Population Changes and Introduced Species?

A. Identify the key concept being tested

B. Write every fact from memory

C. Ignore the command word

D. Skip examples and evidence

2. Which answer would show stronger understanding of Population Changes and Introduced Species?

A. An answer with accurate terms and reasoning

B. A copied definition only

C. A single-word response

D. An answer with no example

3. What should you do if a question asks you to explain?

A. Link the idea to a reason or cause

B. List unrelated facts

C. Only draw a diagram

D. Write the shortest possible answer

8. Success Criteria Proof

Finish with evidence that you can do each success criterion.

Success criterion 1

Prove that you can: populations change due to factors such as food, predators and disease

Success criterion 2

Prove that you can: introduced species can outcompete or prey on native species

Success criterion 3