New
New
Lesson 2 of 5
  • Year 10
  • AQA

The interdependence of biotic and abiotic components in cold environments

I can explain how biotic and abiotic components in a cold environment such as soil, climate, animals, plants and people are interdependent.

Lesson 2 of 5
New
New
  • Year 10
  • AQA

The interdependence of biotic and abiotic components in cold environments

I can explain how biotic and abiotic components in a cold environment such as soil, climate, animals, plants and people are interdependent.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Cold environment ecosystems exhibit interdependence of climate, water, soils, plants, animals and people.
  2. Food chains and food webs show how biotic and abiotic components are interdependent in a cold environment.
  3. Nutrient cycles show how biotic and abiotic components are interdependent in a cold environment.

Keywords

  • Biotic - the living elements of an ecosystem (e.g. plants, animals)

  • Abiotic - the non-living elements of an ecosystem (e.g. water, nutrients)

  • Interdependence - the connections between different components of the environment, where each component depends on or influences the others

  • Evapotranspiration - the transfer of water to the atmosphere through evaporation from surfaces and transpiration from plants

Common misconception

Soil is a biotic component of ecosystems because it contains living organisms.

Soil is classed as an abiotic component because soil itself is non-living.


To help you plan your year 10 geography lesson on: The interdependence of biotic and abiotic components in cold environments, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

If pupils have a good understanding of nutrient cycles from studying ecosystems earlier in the course, then it is appropriate to challenge them to explain how the nutrient cycle of cold environments change in response to environmental change, such as a reduction in rainfall or removal of vegetation.
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Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
How much precipitation do cold environments typically receive?

High amounts, similar to tropical rainforests
Moderate amounts, like temperate regions
Correct answer: Low amounts, often less than deserts
Heavy rainfall throughout the year

Q2.
How does ice and snow help regulate Earth’s temperature?

By absorbing heat
Correct answer: By reflecting sunlight and reducing warming
By producing greenhouse gases

Q3.
Which of the following is a large cold environment in Asia?

Correct answer: The Siberian Tundra
The Sahara Desert
The Amazon Basin

Q4.
What is the main difference between a food chain and a food web?

Correct answer: A food chain shows one energy path, while a food web shows multiple pathways
A food chain includes more organisms than a food web
A food web only shows plants, and a food chain shows animals
A food chain is more complex than a food web

Q5.
What is the main difference between tundra and polar environments?

Correct answer: Tundra is slightly warmer and has some vegetation
Polar regions have more plant life
Tundra is colder than polar regions
Tundra is only found in Antarctica

Q6.
Where are polar environments found?

Near the equator
Correct answer: At high latitudes around the North and South Poles
In tropical regions
In mountain ranges only

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What is the biotic component of an ecosystem?

The climate and temperature
The soil and rocks
The water and air
Correct answer: The living organisms, such as plants and animals

Q2.
How is soil an abiotic component in an ecosystem?

Correct answer: It provides nutrients for plants to grow
It is made up of living organisms
It controls the climate of the area
It creates oxygen for the atmosphere

Q3.
Why do cold environments have low biodiversity?

They are too warm for many species
There is too much food
They have too much rainfall
Correct answer: Harsh conditions make survival difficult

Q4.
What is evapotranspiration?

Correct answer: Water transferring to the atmosphere via evaporation and transpiration of plants
The movement of water underground
The freezing of water in cold environments
The absorption of water by soil only