KS3 & KS4 science curriculum

This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Ecosystems, where they examined the interdependence of organisms and the impact of environmental changes. It deepens their understanding by focusing on biodiversity, exploring the variety of life forms and their roles within ecosystems. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Living organisms and their environments, where they will apply this knowledge to study how biotic and abiotic factors influence the distribution and survival of species, reinforcing the importance of maintaining biodiversity.

1. Interdependence within ecosystems
2. Pyramids of number
3. Pyramids of biomass
4. Plants are adapted for their environment
5. Animals are adapted for their environment
6. Ecological sampling of living organisms
7. Ecological sampling using a quadrat
8. Conserving biodiversity

• Food chains show the transfer of biomass
• Food web diagrams represent several interconnected food chains within a community of organisms
• A change in the size of a population will affect other populations in the same community
• Habitats are where plants and animals live and they contain living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) parts
• Organisms interact with the environment in which they live
• All species have features which make them suited to their environment
• Changes to the environment may make it harder for organisms to survive in a particular habitat
• Biodiversity is a measure of the range of living organisms
• It is important to preserve biodiversity to maintain a healthy environment