Anchor Papers ~ Biology ~ Item 13


	Item 13 Anchor Papers

There are approximately 14 species of bay grasses in Chesapeake Bay. Bay grasses provide a habitat for birds, fish, and shellfish. Most bay grasses grow attached to the bottom substrate in shallow water.

Scientists estimate that the area covered by bay grasses once exceeded 600,000 acres. In 1978, scientists learned that bay grasses only covered 41,000 acres.

Scientists began working to improve environmental conditions in the bay. They replanted bay grasses in some areas. They set a goal of having 110,000 acres of bay grasses by the year 2000. The data collected from yearly surveys of bay grasses is shown in the graph below.

Evaluate the success of this project. In your response, be sure to

predict the most likely value for the missing data in 1988; explain your answer
describe the trend in the area covered by bay grasses in Chesapeake Bay from 1984 to 2000; use specific information from the graph to support your answer
suggest possible reasons for the changes in the graph between 1993 and 1995
describe ways that individuals can help in the restoration of bay grasses

Write your answer in your Answer Book.

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper
This response shows some understanding of the question. The student addresses the question by supplying a likely value for the missing data with an explanation (55,000 in 1988; it was going up a thousand or more each year). No other parts of the question or an evaluation of the project's success are addressed. The supporting details are only minimally effective.
Score Level 1 Anchor Paper
This response shows some understanding of the question. A likely value for the missing data in 1988 is given and explained (54,000 acres, because in 1987 there was 50,000 acres and in 1989 there was about 59,000 acres). The trend in the area covered by bay grasses from 1984 to 2000 is briefly described (from 1984 to 1993, the area of bay grass increased; in 1984 there was about 38,000 acres and in 1993 there was about 75,000 acres; after 1993, the area decreased; in 2000, there was about 68,000 acres). No other parts of the question or an evaluation of the project's success are addressed. The supporting details are only minimally effective.
Score Level 1 Anchor Paper
There is evidence in this response that the student has some understanding of the question. The student evaluates the success of the project (was a success in some years and some years it wasn't). Although the predicted value for the missing 1988 data is a bit low (40,500) some explanation is offered (it's like a trend it increases then it decreases). The trend from 1984 to 2000 is addressed very generally (increases, decreases, decreases, increases; like 1993 to 1997 it increased in 1993 decreases in 1994, decreases more in 1995, increases 1996, increases more in "97"). A possible reason for the changes between 1993 and 1995 is briefly stated (it probaly was the wheather). No way for individuals to help restore bay grasses is given. The supporting details are minimally effective.
Score Level 2 Anchor Paper
This response indicates a basic understanding of the question. Although there is no evaluation of the success of the project, the supporting details are adequate overall. A likely value for the missing 1988 data is supplied and explained (around 55,000; becaus the areas of the grass was increasing; went to about the middle). The trend is described generally (sparatic; raises, lowers, raises…then decreases again) with some specifics (since 1998 there has been a steady increase). Possible reasons for the changes from 1993 to 1995 (maybe the weather was harshest here; large amount of the sea grass had been eatin) and a way for individuals to help restore bay grasses (not pollute the area around the bay) are stated.
Score Level 2 Anchor Paper
This response indicates a basic understanding of the question. An evaluation of the success of the project is stated and explained (did increase the amount of acres; but the project was a failure; did not reach their goal; 40,000 acres short). A likely value for the missing 1988 data is supplied (about 50,000 acres) and the explanation addresses the overall trend (the amount was increasing from 1984 to 1993). The trend is further described briefly and generally (graph increased, then decreased, then began to level off). A possible reason for the changes from 1993 to 1995 (pollution; more harmful chemicals being dumped into the bay) and one way for individuals to help (refrain from dumping harmful chemicals into the environment) are stated. The supporting details are adequate.
Score Level 2 Anchor Paper
This response indicates a basic understanding of the question. Although there is no evaluation of the success of the project, the supporting details are adequate overall. A likely value for the missing data in 1988 is supplied (between 50,000 acres and 60,000 acres) and the explanation addresses the overall trend (because from 1986 to 1993, it seems to be gradually increasing). The trend is further described with specific information from the graph (gradually increasing though it decreases from 50,000 acres to 47,500 acres in 1986; looking the graph the trend is increasing; from 1993, when the bay grasses grew the most, 75,000 acres, to 2000, the bay grasses increase and decrease many times; from 1993 to 2000 there is not much difference). Possible reasons for the changes from 1993 to 1995 (the pollution human beings are causing) and a way for individuals to help restore bay grasses (not pollute the water by throwing oil or garbages out there) are stated.
Score Level 3 Anchor Paper
This response shows a good understanding of the question. An evaluation of the success of the project is stated (no where near reaching our goal) and explained (the graph…shows the progress made over 20 years and how close they are to reaching the goal of 110,000 acres; 40,000 acres shy). A likely value for the missing 1988 data is supplied (aproximately 55,000 acres) with an explanation (the average of the year before and after 1988 is 55,000 acres). The trend from 1984 to 2000 is described (the bay grass population fluxuates) and supported with information from the graph (in 1993 the grass rised 5,000 than the year before, but in 1994 it went down drastically to 65,000 acres). A possible reason is suggested for the changes from 1993 to 1995 (excess rain). The student's reasoning is closely tied to data given in the question (most bay grass grow attached to the bottom substrate in shallow water) and shows some synthesis (if the level of water rose…the bay grasses may die, because there is less shallow water). Ways for individuals to restore bay grasses (more people need to plant bay grasses; make sure that the grasses stay in shallow water) are listed. Overall, supporting details are generally complete.
Score Level 3 Anchor Paper
This response shows a good understanding of the question. Supporting details are generally complete, although an evaluation of the success of the project is not stated. A likely value for the missing 1988 data is supplied (55,000 acres) with an explanation (at that time, the amount of bay grass was increasing; 1987 is at 50,000 and 1989 is almost 60,000; the middle of that, 55,000 would be most likely). The trend from 1984 to 2000 overall is described with information from the graph (overall increasing; from 1984 to 2000…increased from 39,000 to approximately 69,000), showing some synthesis of information. The changes within the trend are also described and supported with information from the graph (from 1984 to 1993…steadily increasing; from 1993 to 1995, the acres of grass decreased; from 1995 to 1997...increased; increased from 1998 to 2000 by about 10,000 acres). Possible reasons are suggested for the changes from 1993 to 1995 (a flood; pollution) and explained (since bay grasses grow in shallow water; making it more difficult; hurting the growth of the plants). Ways for individuals to restore bay grasses (donating money to buy the bay grasses; planting the grasses) are listed.
Score Level 4 Anchor Paper
This response demonstrates a full and complete understanding of the question. An evaluation of the success of the project is stated (only mildly successful) and a likely value for the missing 1988 data is given (probably at about 55,000 acres). The trend from 1984 to 2000 is described (It goes upward at a pretty much constant rate and then it evens out at about 1993. After 1993 the graphs go up and down every couple of years.) The student integrates ideas to further explain both the overall trend (when there is not as much grass, more of them…reproduce successfully; this results in there being more in the next few years; there is more competition so fewer of them will be able to reproduce…there will be fewer of them; then the cycle repeats) and the changes from 1993 to 1995 (there were too many in 1993 causing the competition to be so great that the population went down). The student relates this back to the overall trend (There will not likely be more than there were in 1993 because it requires too much competition.) Ways for people to help restore bay grasses are related to the descriptions of the trend (put nutrients and fertilizer around the areas where they grow and kill plants that compete for the same space and nutrients; this will eliminate competition and eventually allow the population to flourish as it once did, before the introduction of many invasive species that compete with it). The use of accurate scientific terminology (nutrients; competition; population; species) enhances the response.

Anchor Papers ~ Biology ~ Item 13

Scientists estimate that the area covered by bay grasses once exceeded 600,000 acres. In 1978, scientists learned that bay grasses only covered 41,000 acres.

Evaluate the success of this project. In your response, be sure to

predict the most likely value for the missing data in 1988; explain your answer
describe the trend in the area covered by bay grasses in Chesapeake Bay from 1984 to 2000; use specific information from the graph to support your answer
suggest possible reasons for the changes in the graph between 1993 and 1995
describe ways that individuals can help in the restoration of bay grasses

Write your answer in your Answer Book.

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper
This response shows some understanding of the question. The student addresses the question by supplying a likely value for the missing data with an explanation (55,000 in 1988; it was going up a thousand or more each year). No other parts of the question or an evaluation of the project's success are addressed. The supporting details are only minimally effective.

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper

This response shows some understanding of the question. A likely value for the missing data in 1988 is given and explained (54,000 acres, because in 1987 there was 50,000 acres and in 1989 there was about 59,000 acres). The trend in the area covered by bay grasses from 1984 to 2000 is briefly described (from 1984 to 1993, the area of bay grass increased; in 1984 there was about 38,000 acres and in 1993 there was about 75,000 acres; after 1993, the area decreased; in 2000, there was about 68,000 acres). No other parts of the question or an evaluation of the project's success are addressed. The supporting details are only minimally effective.

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper

There is evidence in this response that the student has some understanding of the question. The student evaluates the success of the project (was a success in some years and some years it wasn't). Although the predicted value for the missing 1988 data is a bit low (40,500) some explanation is offered (it's like a trend it increases then it decreases). The trend from 1984 to 2000 is addressed very generally (increases, decreases, decreases, increases; like 1993 to 1997 it increased in 1993 decreases in 1994, decreases more in 1995, increases 1996, increases more in "97"). A possible reason for the changes between 1993 and 1995 is briefly stated (it probaly was the wheather). No way for individuals to help restore bay grasses is given. The supporting details are minimally effective.

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper

This response indicates a basic understanding of the question. Although there is no evaluation of the success of the project, the supporting details are adequate overall. A likely value for the missing 1988 data is supplied and explained (around 55,000; becaus the areas of the grass was increasing; went to about the middle). The trend is described generally (sparatic; raises, lowers, raises…then decreases again) with some specifics (since 1998 there has been a steady increase). Possible reasons for the changes from 1993 to 1995 (maybe the weather was harshest here; large amount of the sea grass had been eatin) and a way for individuals to help restore bay grasses (not pollute the area around the bay) are stated.

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper

This response indicates a basic understanding of the question. An evaluation of the success of the project is stated and explained (did increase the amount of acres; but the project was a failure; did not reach their goal; 40,000 acres short). A likely value for the missing 1988 data is supplied (about 50,000 acres) and the explanation addresses the overall trend (the amount was increasing from 1984 to 1993). The trend is further described briefly and generally (graph increased, then decreased, then began to level off). A possible reason for the changes from 1993 to 1995 (pollution; more harmful chemicals being dumped into the bay) and one way for individuals to help (refrain from dumping harmful chemicals into the environment) are stated. The supporting details are adequate.

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper

This response indicates a basic understanding of the question. Although there is no evaluation of the success of the project, the supporting details are adequate overall. A likely value for the missing data in 1988 is supplied (between 50,000 acres and 60,000 acres) and the explanation addresses the overall trend (because from 1986 to 1993, it seems to be gradually increasing). The trend is further described with specific information from the graph (gradually increasing though it decreases from 50,000 acres to 47,500 acres in 1986; looking the graph the trend is increasing; from 1993, when the bay grasses grew the most, 75,000 acres, to 2000, the bay grasses increase and decrease many times; from 1993 to 2000 there is not much difference). Possible reasons for the changes from 1993 to 1995 (the pollution human beings are causing) and a way for individuals to help restore bay grasses (not pollute the water by throwing oil or garbages out there) are stated.

Score Level 3 Anchor Paper

This response shows a good understanding of the question. An evaluation of the success of the project is stated (no where near reaching our goal) and explained (the graph…shows the progress made over 20 years and how close they are to reaching the goal of 110,000 acres; 40,000 acres shy). A likely value for the missing 1988 data is supplied (aproximately 55,000 acres) with an explanation (the average of the year before and after 1988 is 55,000 acres). The trend from 1984 to 2000 is described (the bay grass population fluxuates) and supported with information from the graph (in 1993 the grass rised 5,000 than the year before, but in 1994 it went down drastically to 65,000 acres). A possible reason is suggested for the changes from 1993 to 1995 (excess rain). The student's reasoning is closely tied to data given in the question (most bay grass grow attached to the bottom substrate in shallow water) and shows some synthesis (if the level of water rose…the bay grasses may die, because there is less shallow water). Ways for individuals to restore bay grasses (more people need to plant bay grasses; make sure that the grasses stay in shallow water) are listed. Overall, supporting details are generally complete.

Score Level 3 Anchor Paper

This response shows a good understanding of the question. Supporting details are generally complete, although an evaluation of the success of the project is not stated. A likely value for the missing 1988 data is supplied (55,000 acres) with an explanation (at that time, the amount of bay grass was increasing; 1987 is at 50,000 and 1989 is almost 60,000; the middle of that, 55,000 would be most likely). The trend from 1984 to 2000 overall is described with information from the graph (overall increasing; from 1984 to 2000…increased from 39,000 to approximately 69,000), showing some synthesis of information. The changes within the trend are also described and supported with information from the graph (from 1984 to 1993…steadily increasing; from 1993 to 1995, the acres of grass decreased; from 1995 to 1997...increased; increased from 1998 to 2000 by about 10,000 acres). Possible reasons are suggested for the changes from 1993 to 1995 (a flood; pollution) and explained (since bay grasses grow in shallow water; making it more difficult; hurting the growth of the plants). Ways for individuals to restore bay grasses (donating money to buy the bay grasses; planting the grasses) are listed.

Score Level 4 Anchor Paper

This response demonstrates a full and complete understanding of the question. An evaluation of the success of the project is stated (only mildly successful) and a likely value for the missing 1988 data is given (probably at about 55,000 acres). The trend from 1984 to 2000 is described (It goes upward at a pretty much constant rate and then it evens out at about 1993. After 1993 the graphs go up and down every couple of years.) The student integrates ideas to further explain both the overall trend (when there is not as much grass, more of them…reproduce successfully; this results in there being more in the next few years; there is more competition so fewer of them will be able to reproduce…there will be fewer of them; then the cycle repeats) and the changes from 1993 to 1995 (there were too many in 1993 causing the competition to be so great that the population went down). The student relates this back to the overall trend (There will not likely be more than there were in 1993 because it requires too much competition.) Ways for people to help restore bay grasses are related to the descriptions of the trend (put nutrients and fertilizer around the areas where they grow and kill plants that compete for the same space and nutrients; this will eliminate competition and eventually allow the population to flourish as it once did, before the introduction of many invasive species that compete with it). The use of accurate scientific terminology (nutrients; competition; population; species) enhances the response.