Fresh water ecosystem

• What is a freshwater pond ecosystem composed of?

  Multiple smaller habitats
• Where do fish typically reside in a freshwater pond?

  At the center where the water is deep
• What types of vegetation grow around the edges of a freshwater pond?

  Reeds, grasses, bushes, and trees
• How does the pond ecosystem depend on oxygen and light?

  They affect the wildlife found there
• What provides shelter for decomposers and scavengers at the bottom of the pond?

  Rotting plants
• How do fish breathe in the middle depths of a pond?

  Through their gills
• What do animals on the pond surface rely on for breathing?

  Oxygen from the air
• What types of trees are commonly found in deciduous woodlands?

  Oak and Ash
• What happens to the leaves of deciduous trees in winter?

  They lose their leaves to conserve energy
• What covers the forest floor in autumn?

  A thick layer of leaf litter
• How does decomposition affect the soil in deciduous woodlands?

  It returns nutrients to the soil
• What factors affect the characteristics of small-scale ecosystems?

  Soil and climate
• Why do trees in deciduous woodlands lose their leaves in winter?

  To conserve energy due to less sunlight
• What type of woodlands are found in areas further north or at higher altitudes?

  Coniferous woodlands
• How do coniferous trees adapt to cold and wind?

  They have needles instead of leaves
• What can extreme weather events cause in small-scale ecosystems?

  Devastation to these areas
• What major storm event affected 15 million trees in England?

  The great storm of 1987
• How can flood events impact waterways?

  They can contaminate with raw sewage
• How can deforestation affect small-scale ecosystems?

  It affects habitats, food chains, and nutrient cycles
• How does farming impact small-scale ecosystems?

  It can deplete water and destroy habitats
• What is eutrophication caused by?

  Chemical fertilizers
• What does eutrophication lead to in waterways?

  Rapid algae growth and oxygen depletion
• What happens when hedgerows are removed for farming?

  It destroys habitats and alters food webs
• What are the key components of a freshwater pond ecosystem?

  • Deep water with fish
  • Shallow water with plants
  • Surface with insects and wildfowl
  • Edges with reeds, grasses, bushes, and trees
  • Bottom with decomposers and scavengers
• What are the characteristics of a deciduous woodland ecosystem?

  • High biodiversity with thousands of species
  • Native trees like Oak and Ash
  • Shrubs like Holly and Hazel
  • Fungi, birds, and insects present
  • Interdependence among species
• How do weather and climate influence small-scale ecosystems?

  • Soil and climate affect ecosystem characteristics
  • Weather conditions influence vegetation types
  • Seasonal changes impact energy conservation in trees
• What are the impacts of human activities on small-scale ecosystems?

  • Deforestation for housing and timber
  • Water depletion from ponds for irrigation
  • Eutrophication from chemical fertilizers
  • Removal of hedgerows affecting habitats
• What abiotic features are mentioned in the study material?

  Climate, soil, rocks, and sunlight
• What is the significance of the water level in a pond?

  It affects the animals and plants living there
• What are abiotic features?

  Nonliving things in an ecosystem
• What is the role of the sun in the pond ecosystem?

  It provides energy for plants and animals
• What is found at the bottom of the pond?

  Stones, rotting plants, and decomposers
• Why is there little oxygen at the bottom of the pond?

  Oxygen does not easily reach the bottom
• Name a decomposer that might live at the bottom of the pond.

  Pond snail
• What is the function of the great diving beetle in the pond?

  It can move between water and air
• What is a common plant found in ponds?

  Water lily
• How does algae affect the pond's appearance in summer?

  It can make the pond water green
• What do animals on the pond surface primarily breathe through?

  Gills or lungs
• What is the role of pond snails in the ecosystem?

  They eat algae and decomposing matter
• What type of fish is commonly found in UK ponds?

  Stickleback