Life Sciences - Term 2 - Week 8

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment. It includes both biotic factors, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, and abiotic factors, such as water, soil, and climate. Ecosystems can vary in size, from a small pond to a vast forest, and they function through complex interrelationships among their components.

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem. It is crucial for ecosystem resilience, providing stability and the ability to recover from disturbances. High biodiversity enhances ecosystem productivity, ensures natural sustainability, and contributes to the provision of ecosystem services such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation.

Consider a forest ecosystem. It consists of various trees, shrubs, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. Each species plays a specific role, such as producers (plants), consumers (herbivores and carnivores), and decomposers (fungi and bacteria). If a new species is introduced, it may disrupt the existing balance, showcasing the delicate interdependence within the ecosystem.

In groups, students will select a local ecosystem (e.g., a river, forest, or urban area) and identify its biotic and abiotic components. They will create a chart listing these components and discuss how they interact. This activity will help students understand the complexity and interdependence of ecosystem elements.

Students will choose a specific human activity (e.g., deforestation, pollution, urbanization) and research its effects on a chosen ecosystem. They will write a short report detailing the changes in biodiversity and ecosystem function due to this activity, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts.

• Biotic and abiotic
• Producers and consumers
• Herbivores and carnivores
• Plants and animals

Answer: Biotic and abiotic

Ecosystems consist of biotic factors (living organisms) and abiotic factors (non-living elements like water and soil).

• It increases competition
• It enhances ecosystem stability
• It reduces species interactions
• It limits resource availability

Answer: It enhances ecosystem stability

Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem resilience and stability, allowing ecosystems to recover from disturbances.

Answer: Biodiversity is the variety of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms in a particular ecosystem.

This definition captures the essence of biodiversity as it relates to the variety of life forms in an ecosystem.

• Soil
• Water
• Fungi
• Sunlight

Answer: Fungi

Fungi are living organisms and therefore classified as biotic factors, while soil, water, and sunlight are abiotic.

• Increased biodiversity
• Habitat loss
• Improved air quality
• Enhanced soil fertility

Answer: Habitat loss

Deforestation leads to the destruction of habitats, resulting in loss of biodiversity.

Answer: Pollution can harm organisms, reduce species populations, and disrupt food chains, leading to decreased biodiversity.

This answer highlights the negative impact of pollution on living organisms and ecosystems.