← Wood Technology & Design 1-4
Population studies, food chains and food webs, energy flow, and ecological relationships.
Ecology is the study of the relationships between living organisms and their environment. It explores how populations, species, and ecosystems interact with each other and their surroundings. Understanding ecology is crucial for preserving biodiversity and maintaining a healthy planet.
A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific geographic area. Population size, density, and distribution can affect the survival and reproduction of individuals within that population. Factors such as birth rate, death rate, immigration, and emigration influence population growth or decline. Understanding population dynamics helps ecologists predict how populations will respond to environmental changes.
A food chain is a series of organisms that eat other organisms, with each level being a predator and its prey. For example, grasses are eaten by rabbits, which are then eaten by foxes. A food web is a more complex network of feeding relationships among multiple species. Energy flows from one level to the next as organisms consume and convert energy-rich organic matter.
Energy flow refers to the movement of energy through an ecosystem, typically from producers like plants to consumers like animals. Producers convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis, which is then consumed by herbivores. Herbivores are eaten by carnivores, and so on, with each level becoming less efficient at retaining energy.
Ecological relationships describe the interactions between different species within an ecosystem. These relationships can be competitive, cooperative, or predator-prey based. For example, competition for resources like food and water can occur among different species, while mutualism occurs when both species benefit from each other's presence.
Ecosystem services refer to the benefits humans derive from functioning ecosystems. These services include air and water purification, soil formation, climate regulation, and pest control. Ecosystems also provide recreational opportunities like hiking and fishing, as well as cultural and spiritual enrichment.
Human activities can significantly impact ecosystems through habitat destruction, pollution, overfishing, and climate change. These impacts can lead to population declines, extinctions, and disruptions to ecosystem processes. Understanding human impacts is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies.
Conservation efforts aim to protect and preserve ecosystems by addressing human impacts. Strategies include habitat restoration, species reintroduction, and sustainable land-use planning. International agreements like the Endangered Species Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora also support conservation efforts.
What is the primary focus of ecology?
Which of the following is an example of ecological relationship?
What is a food chain typically characterized by?
What is an example of energy flow through ecosystems?
What can competition for resources lead to in an ecosystem?
What is the study of population dynamics called?
Which of the following is NOT an example of ecological relationship?
What is the primary mechanism for regulating population sizes in an ecosystem?
What can human activities impact on ecosystems?
What is an example of ecosystem service?
Discuss the importance of understanding ecology in conservation efforts. (20 marks) ( marks)
Describe how human activities impact ecosystems and discuss conservation efforts. (20 marks) ( marks)