Biology II Ecology · Matter Flow Through Ecosystems
Virginia SOL EC.4
Virginia SOL EC.4 is part of the Matter Flow Through Ecosystems strand in Biology II Ecology (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students investigate how matter flows through ecosystems via biogeochemical cycles. Below is what EC.4 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice EC.4 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL EC.4 means
Investigate how matter flows through ecosystems via biogeochemical cycles.
Skills you’ll practice for EC.4
- Develop and use a model to explain the cycling of matter in ecosystems through biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen, water, and phosphorus).
- Develop and use a model to explain how the movement of one nutrient affects an ecosystem.
- Analyze and interpret data to predict how changes in the availability of resources will affect species' success in ecosystems.
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim about how a disruption in a biogeochemical cycle affects an ecosystem.
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim about how changes in resource availability affect the biodiversity of an ecosystem.
Key concepts covered by EC.4
- biogeochemical cycles
- matter cycling model
- ecosystem modeling
- nutrient flow
- nutrient movement model
- ecosystem impact
- nutrient cycling
- model development
- resource availability
- species success prediction
- data analysis
- biogeochemical disruption
- ecosystem claim
- cycle disruption impact
- evidence-based evaluation
- resource availability changes
- biodiversity claim
- evidence-based reasoning
How to study and practice SOL EC.4
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether EC.4 is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.
Frequently asked questions about SOL EC.4
What is Virginia SOL EC.4?
SOL EC.4 is a Biology II Ecology Standard of Learning in the Matter Flow Through Ecosystems strand. It expects students to investigate how matter flows through ecosystems via biogeochemical cycles.
What skills does SOL EC.4 cover?
SOL EC.4 is assessed on 5 skills: develop and use a model to explain the cycling of matter in ecosystems through biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen, water, and phosphorus); develop and use a model to explain how the movement of one nutrient affects an ecosystem; analyze and interpret data to predict how changes in the availability of resources will affect species' success in ecosystems; make, support, and evaluate a claim about how a disruption in a biogeochemical cycle affects an ecosystem; make, support, and evaluate a claim about how changes in resource availability affect the biodiversity of an ecosystem.
What strand of Biology II Ecology is SOL EC.4 in?
SOL EC.4 belongs to the Matter Flow Through Ecosystems reporting strand of the Biology II Ecology Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL EC.4?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether EC.4 is already solid, then work the 5 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.