Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each...
Biology827 views·Updated 2 Sept 2026·2 pagesEcology Knowledge Organizer - Topic B7
Evelyn Ridley@ev_alice
1
of 2
Ecology Fundamentals
Every living thing exists as part of an ecosystem - a community of living organisms interacting with non-living elements in their environment. Within ecosystems, organisms live in specific habitats and form communities where different species depend on each other for survival.
When resources are limited, competition occurs. Plants might compete for light and water, while animals battle for food and territory. This interdependence creates complex relationships where each species relies on others for survival needs like food or pollination.
Did you know? Predator-prey relationships create natural population cycles! When prey increases, predators thrive and increase too, which then reduces prey numbers, eventually leading to fewer predators - and the cycle begins again.
Organisms develop adaptations to survive in their environment. These can be structural (physical features like a polar bear's fat layer), functional (how bodies work, like a camel's ability to conserve water), or behavioural (actions like desert rats hiding during hot periods).
The carbon cycle and water cycle keep ecosystems functioning. In the carbon cycle, plants absorb CO₂ through photosynthesis, while animals release it through respiration. When organisms die, decomposition returns carbon to the atmosphere. Similarly, the water cycle involves evaporation, condensation, and precipitation to circulate water throughout ecosystems.
2
of 2
Human Impact and Biodiversity
Human activities dramatically affect the natural world, often reducing biodiversity - the variety of species in an ecosystem. When farmers use fertilisers, rain washes these chemicals into waterways, causing algae blooms that deplete oxygen and kill aquatic life.
Deforestation has devastating consequences for biodiversity. Not only does it destroy habitats, but it also releases stored carbon dioxide when trees are burned or decompose. With fewer trees to absorb CO₂, global warming accelerates. Similarly, the destruction of peat bogs releases massive amounts of stored carbon.
Take action! You can help protect biodiversity by supporting conservation efforts, using less plastic, and reducing your carbon footprint through simple everyday choices.
Scientists measure biodiversity using sampling techniques. Random sampling helps estimate population sizes by counting organisms in randomly placed quadrats, while systematic sampling (transects) shows how communities change across distances or over time.
To protect biodiversity, conservationists use several strategies: breeding endangered species, protecting rare habitats, reintroducing field margins in agricultural areas, reducing deforestation, cutting carbon emissions, and promoting recycling. These efforts help maintain the delicate balance that allows ecosystems to thrive and recover from damage.
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Biology827 views·Updated 2 Sept 2026·2 pagesEcology Knowledge Organizer - Topic B7
Evelyn Ridley@ev_alice
Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment. This fascinating branch of biology explores ecosystems, food chains, and the delicate balance that allows life to thrive. Understanding ecology helps us see how human activities...
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Ecology Fundamentals
Every living thing exists as part of an ecosystem - a community of living organisms interacting with non-living elements in their environment. Within ecosystems, organisms live in specific habitats and form communities where different species depend on each other for survival.
When resources are limited, competition occurs. Plants might compete for light and water, while animals battle for food and territory. This interdependence creates complex relationships where each species relies on others for survival needs like food or pollination.
Did you know? Predator-prey relationships create natural population cycles! When prey increases, predators thrive and increase too, which then reduces prey numbers, eventually leading to fewer predators - and the cycle begins again.
Organisms develop adaptations to survive in their environment. These can be structural (physical features like a polar bear's fat layer), functional (how bodies work, like a camel's ability to conserve water), or behavioural (actions like desert rats hiding during hot periods).
The carbon cycle and water cycle keep ecosystems functioning. In the carbon cycle, plants absorb CO₂ through photosynthesis, while animals release it through respiration. When organisms die, decomposition returns carbon to the atmosphere. Similarly, the water cycle involves evaporation, condensation, and precipitation to circulate water throughout ecosystems.
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Human Impact and Biodiversity
Human activities dramatically affect the natural world, often reducing biodiversity - the variety of species in an ecosystem. When farmers use fertilisers, rain washes these chemicals into waterways, causing algae blooms that deplete oxygen and kill aquatic life.
Deforestation has devastating consequences for biodiversity. Not only does it destroy habitats, but it also releases stored carbon dioxide when trees are burned or decompose. With fewer trees to absorb CO₂, global warming accelerates. Similarly, the destruction of peat bogs releases massive amounts of stored carbon.
Take action! You can help protect biodiversity by supporting conservation efforts, using less plastic, and reducing your carbon footprint through simple everyday choices.
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