An ecosystem is made up of all the living organisms in a place, interacting with each other and their non-living surroundings.

All organisms within an ecosystem are interdependent because they depend upon each other for the things they need to survive.

A producer is an organism that makes its own food.

Cellular respiration is a chemical process where food is used as a fuel to provide energy for life processes.

A decomposer is an organism that feeds on the remains of other living organisms.

Interdependence within ecosystems

Science

Pupils will learn about biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem, measuring population size, interdependence and competition in ecosystems, how changes in biotic and abiotic factors affect communities, the cycling of carbon and water, and the role of microorganisms in cycling materials through ecosystems.

Pupils learnt about interdependence in ecosystems, covering food webs and food chains along with predator-prey relationships. The effect of the use of pesticides on organisms such as pollinating insects and top predators through bioaccumulation.

Biodiversity

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

An {{}} is made up of all the living organisms in a place, interacting with each other and their non-living surroundings.

All organisms rely on consumers for food. 

Organisms that feed on dead organisms or waste materials are called decomposers.

True or false? Bacteria and fungi are decomposers.

All organisms within an ecosystem are {{}} because they depend upon each other for the things they need to survive.

True or false? A food chain shows the transfer of biomass.

Which of the following are biotic factors?

What do plants and animals need from their habitat?

Organisms that consume other organisms are known as ...

What will happen if the cabbage population decreases?

What will happen to the population of hawks if the grass population decreases?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Interdependence within ecosystems

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.