Ecosystems and Biodiversity
This section introduces key ecological concepts and terminology essential for understanding ecosystems and biodiversity. It covers the components of ecosystems, species, populations, and niches.
An ecosystem comprises all living things in an area interacting with each other and their non-living environment. It consists of two main parts: habitat and community. The guide defines important terms such as species, population, and niche.
Definition: A species is a group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
Vocabulary: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life found on Earth.
The section also explains different types of organisms in an ecosystem:
- Producers: organisms that make their own food
- Consumers: animals that eat ready-made food for energy
- Predators: animals that hunt other animals for food
- Prey: animals that are hunted for food
Example: A food chain showing energy flow: grass → caterpillar → sparrow → bird of prey
The guide discusses competition in ecosystems, both interspecific (between different species) and intraspecific (within the same species). It outlines resources that animals and plants compete for, such as food, territory, water, and light.
Highlight: Abiotic factors affecting ecosystems include temperature, pH, moisture, and light intensity, while biotic factors include disease, grazing, and predation.
This comprehensive overview provides students with a solid foundation for understanding ecosystems bbc bitesize KS3 and prepares them for more advanced topics in biology.
