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Relationships between organisms and their environment, food chains and webs.
Ecology and ecosystems is the study of relationships between organisms and their environment, including food chains and webs. This topic explores how living things interact with each other and their surroundings, and how these interactions affect the environment.
Ecology is the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment. This includes the interactions among living things, such as predator-prey dynamics, competition for resources, and symbiotic relationships. Ecological processes shape the structure and function of ecosystems, which are communities of organisms interacting with each other and their environment.
Energy flows through ecosystems from producers to consumers. Producers, such as plants, convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis. Herbivores consume the producers, while carnivores feed on herbivores. Decomposers break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the environment. Energy is transferred between trophic levels, with some being lost as heat or stored in biomass.
A food chain shows the linear sequence of energy transfer from one species to another: producer → herbivore → carnivore. Food webs depict multiple chains interconnected by shared species, illustrating complex relationships within ecosystems. Each link represents a predator-prey interaction or competition for resources.
Human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change significantly alter ecosystem processes. Habitat destruction and fragmentation isolate populations, leading to population decline or extinction. Overfishing and overhunting deplete species populations, while invasive species outcompete native ones for resources.
Effective conservation strategies involve habitat preservation, species reintroduction, and controlled hunting. Ecological restoration aims to restore degraded ecosystems by reintroducing native species and modifying environmental conditions. Sustainable management practices, such as catch-and-release fishing and responsible land use, help maintain ecosystem balance.
Ecosystem services include air and water purification, soil formation, and climate regulation through carbon sequestration. Pollination, pest control, and nutrient cycling are also essential services provided by ecosystems. These benefits support human well-being and economic development.
Ecological succession is the process of community change following disturbance or environmental shift. Primary succession occurs in newly formed habitats, such as volcanic islands or glacial retreats. Secondary succession involves the re-growth of vegetation on disturbed sites, like burned forests.
Ecosystem resilience refers to its ability to withstand and recover from disturbances. Factors influencing resilience include species diversity, habitat complexity, and environmental variability. Understanding ecosystem resilience is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies and predicting the impacts of climate change.
What is the primary source of energy in an ecosystem?
Which of the following best describes a food chain?
What is the term for the variety of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms found in an ecosystem?
Which human activity can significantly impact ecosystem balance and biodiversity?
What is the term for a series of organisms that eat other organisms or plants as their source of energy?
What is the term for the process by which an ecosystem regains its original state after a disturbance?
What is the term for the close and often long-term relationship between different species?
Which of the following is an example of a symbiotic relationship?
What is the term for the variety of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms found in an ecosystem?
What is the term for a community of living and non-living things interacting in a specific environment?
Describe the energy flow through an ecosystem, including producers, consumers, and decomposers. (2 marks)
Explain the concept of ecological succession and provide an example. (2 marks)
Describe the importance of biodiversity in maintaining ecosystem balance and services. (2 marks)
Explain the impact of human activities on ecosystems and the importance of conservation efforts. (2 marks)
Describe the role of decomposers in breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients. (2 marks)
Explain the concept of symbiosis and provide an example. (2 marks)
Discuss the importance of ecosystem services in supporting human well-being and economic development. (20 marks)
Explain the impact of climate change on ecosystems and the importance of conservation efforts in mitigating its effects. (20 marks)