Ecology
Important information and topic
progression
Key word Definition
Ecosystem Interaction of a community of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) parts of
their environment
Interdependence Each species in a community depending on one another e.g. food,
shelter, seed dispersal, pollination. If one species is removed, it can
affect the whole community
FOLD IN HALF AND Abiotic factors Non-living factors that can affect a community e.g. light,
temperature, soil pH
Biotic factors Living factors that can affect a community e.g. availability of food,
GLUE HERE Adaptations
new predators arriving, new pathogens
Features that enable organisms to survive in the conditions in which they
normally live. They could be behavioural, structural or functional
Producer Starts off a food chain. Usually a green plant or alga that photosynthesises.
Eaten by primary consumers
Quadrat Square frame used to count organisms to estimate a population, e.g. random
sampling
Transect A straight line where samples are taken at regular intervals using a quadrat
Predator Consumer that kills and eats other animals
Carbon cycle Returns carbon from organisms to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide to be
used by plants in photosynthesis
Water cycle Provides fresh water for plants and animals on land before draining
into seas. Water is continuously evaporated and precipitated
Biodiversity The variety of all the different species of organisms on earth, or
within an ecosystem
Pollution Can occur on land, in water, in the air. Pollution kills plants and
animals which reduces biodiversity
Decomposers Organisms that break down dead plant and animal matter by
secreting
enzymes into the environment
Pyramids of Constructed to represent the relative
biomass amount of biomass in each level of a food chain. Trophic level 1 is at
the
bottom of the pyramid.
Food security Having enough food to feed a population.
Mycoprotein A protein-rich
food suitable for vegetarians
1 Communities 16 Global Warming
Describe what is meant by interdependence and a stable community describe the gases the have contributed to global warming.
Describe the relationship between communities, biotic/abiotic environmental factors and analyse the greenhouse effect, and how this has led to global warming,
ecosystems evaluate the consequences of global warming.
Describe and explain graphs/tables displaying environmental data
2+3 Sampling 17 Impact of environmental change
explain an appropriate method for measuring distribution using quadrats and/ or transects. Describe reasons for environmental change.
analyse the risks involved and how to use the results to draw conclusions. Analyse the impacts of humans on environmental change.
evaluate how sampling should be carried out to ensure validity and reliability. Evaluate the impact of environmental change using given data.
4+5 Adaptations 18+19 Maintaining Biodiversity
describe adaptations organisms have in their environment. Describe how waste, deforestation and global warming all have an impact on biodiversity
analyse adaptations which contribute to predator avoidance. Describe some of the ways people are trying to reduce the impact of human activities on
To evaluate the features of extremophiles and their uses. ecosystems, and maintain biodiversity
6 Competition 20 Trophic levels and Pyramids and transfer of Biomass
Identify factors that affect the survival of organisms explain the roles of producers, consumers and decomposers in a food chain and how
Explain what plants and animals compete for. changes can influence populations of organisms
Compare competition in plants and animals. Construct pyramids of biomass accurately and interpret them correctly.
explain how energy is lost in producers and consumers.
calculate the efficiency of a food chain.
7 The Water Cycle 21 Factors affecting food Security
To describe what materials need to be recycled. Describe some of the factors that threaten global food security
To analyse how water is recycled.
To evaluate the importance of nutrient cycling.
8 The Carbon Cycle 22 Making food production efficient
Describe the terms combustion, respiration, photosynthesis. Describe how battery farming increases efficiency.
Link these processes, alongside decay and feeding into the carbon cycle. Compare modern and traditional farming techniques.
Construct and explain your own carbon cycle. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of intensive farming methods.
explain the reasons for declining fish stocks.
analyse mechanisms of ensuring more sustainable fishing.
evaluate the sustainability of fishing using data.
9+10+11 Decomposition 23 Sustainable food production
To explain the process of decomposition. To explain the benefits of using Mycoprotein as an alternative food source, and how it is
To analyse the factors affecting the rate of decay. produced
To evaluate the role of decay To analyse other roles of biotechnology in food production.
To recall how genetic modification can take place.
To examine the step by step stages of producing insulin using biotechnology. To evaluate
the pros and cons of producing insulin using biotechnology.
12 Human population explosion 24 Revision
• Suggest and evaluate solutions to the problems caused by human population
• Analyse and interpret data and information concerning human population growth.
13 Land and water pollution
• Explain in detail how pollution affects biodiversity.
• Describe the processes of eutrophication and bioaccumulation. Later in KS5
• List some substances that pollute water and land.
14 Air pollution Ecosystems
• Analyse in detail data showing sulfur emissions over the last 30 years,and suggest reasons Populations and
for the trend. sustainability
• Describe how acid rain is formed
• List some effects of acid rain on plants and animals. Career links
15 Deforestation and peat destruction
evaluate the consequences of changes in land use Marine biologist
To describe the reasons for increased deforestation in recent years. Biotechnologist
To suggest ways to reduce the problem of deforestation. Forensics
To evaluate the consequences of deforestation. Farming
Climate scientist
