ecosystems

• What is an ecosystem?

  An ecosystem is a unit that includes all the biotic and abiotic parts in an area.
• What are the two main components of an ecosystem?

  The two main components are biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) parts.
• How can organisms in ecosystems be classified?

  Organisms can be classified as producers, consumers, or decomposers.
• What is a producer?

  A producer is an organism that uses sunlight energy to produce food.
• What is a consumer?

  A consumer is an organism that gets its energy by eating other organisms.
• What does a food chain illustrate?

  A food chain shows what eats what.
• What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

  A food web shows lots of food chains and how they overlap.
• What is a decomposer?

  A decomposer is an organism that gets its energy by breaking down dead material.
• What happens when dead material is decomposed?

  Nutrients are released into the soil.
• What is nutrient cycling?

  Nutrient cycling is the transfer of nutrients from soil to plants and back to soil.
• What are the components of a hedgerow ecosystem?

  • Plants (e.g., hawthorn bushes, blackberry bushes)
  • Organisms (e.g., thrushes, ladybirds, spiders, greenfly, sparrows, sparrowhawks)
  • Soil
  • Rainfall and sunshine
• What are the effects of a hot, dry summer on a hedgerow ecosystem?

  • Reduced plant growth
  • Fewer berries for birds in winter
  • Fewer habitats for ladybirds, greenfly, and spiders
  • Decreased numbers of sparrows and thrushes
  • Fewer sparrowhawks due to less food
• What should you do to analyze the impact of changes in an ecosystem?

  Draw a food web to see the relationships and impacts on food availability and habitats.
• How do changes in one part of an ecosystem affect other parts?

  Changes in one part can affect food sources and habitats for other organisms.
• What are the global ecosystems mentioned in the study material?

  • Grassland
  • Temperate Deciduous Forest
  • Tropical Rainforest
  • Hot Desert
  • Polar
• What determines the type of ecosystem found in an area?

  The climate in an area determines the type of ecosystem.
• Do you need to memorize the map of global ecosystems?

  No, you should know roughly where the different ecosystems are found.
• What should you know about the characteristics of global ecosystems?

  You should know their basic characteristics.