Changes in small-scale ecosystems
I can explain how natural changes and human activities affect the balance of small-scale ecosystems.
- Year 10
- AQA
Changes in small-scale ecosystems
I can explain how natural changes and human activities affect the balance of small-scale ecosystems.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Ecosystems are finely balanced and can be affected by changing one component.
- College Lake is the site of a range of small-scale ecosystems: lake, marshland and chalk grassland.
- Natural events as well as human actions can create changes that affect the complexity and productivity of ecosystems.
Keywords
Biotic - living components of an ecosystem, such as plants and animals
Abiotic - non-living components of an ecosystem such as soils and climate
Food web - a complex interconnection of food chains within an ecosystem
Habitat - the natural home or environment in which an animal or plant lives
Biodiversity - the variety of plants and animals in the world or in a particular habitat
Common misconception
Changes that affect ecosystems are always created by people.
Naturally-occurring events such as storms also affect ecosystems. For example, a storm could fell trees which may have been a habitat for other species.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the use of light energy to make food called?
Q2.Identify the producer or producers in this food web.
Q3.Which of the following would be considered biotic?
Q4.Living organisms are one of the stores of nutrients within an ecosystem. What name is given to this store?
Q5.Which of the following are examples of losses of nutrients from an ecosystem?
Q6.Which of these is the best description of nutrient cycling?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.An is a community of organisms (such as plants and animals) that interact with one another and their non-living environment.
Q2.If a disease meant that there were fewer oak trees, what might the likely impact be on the number of thrushes?
Q3.Identify the apex predators in this food web.
