a community of organisms (such as plants and animals) that interact with one another and their non-living (abiotic) environment

an organism that is able to absorb energy from the sun through photosynthesis

an organism that gets its energy by feeding on other organisms (animals and/or plant matter)

the connections between different organisms (plants and animals) that rely on one another for their source of food

an organism such as a bacterium or fungus that breaks down dead plant or animal tissue or waste

Understanding small-scale ecosystems

Geography

Changes in small-scale ecosystems

The distribution and characteristics of global biomes

The factors affecting biome distribution

Using GIS to visualise the distribution and characteristics of global biomes

This unit teaches pupils about ecosystems and biomes at different scales. Pupils learn about the factors influencing biome distribution and the physical systems and processes regulating them. Pupils will also learn about the impact of population growth and resource extraction on biomes.

Ecosystems, biomes and the biosphere

A community of organisms that interact with one another and their non-living environment is called an {{}}.

Which of the following would be considered abiotic?

Put the following organisms in the correct food chain order, going from producer to quaternary (level four) consumer.

The cycling of nutrients within an ecosystem can be understood by considering transfers between three stores. Which of these are stores?

rain washing chemicals out of the atmosphere

nutrients being lost from the litter via runoff

the uptake of nutrients from the soil by plant roots

the release of chemicals from bedrock via weathering

Identify the examples of inputs into an ecosystem.

an organism that is able to absorb energy from the sun to make food

an organism that gets its energy by feeding on other organisms

connections between organisms that rely on one another for food

an organism that breaks down dead plant or animal tissue or waste

Match the following keywords to the correct definitions.

Which of the following is **not** a process carried out by all living things?

An ecosystem is a community of __________ and their non-living environment.

What is the term for an animal that only eats other animals and not plants?

Which of the following organisms can make their own food using energy from the Sun?

Understanding small-scale ecosystems

Lesson outcome