Study Notes
Biodiversity refers to the variety of different species within an ecosystem and is crucial for ecosystem stability. Human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and global warming are reducing biodiversity and impacting ecosystems.
- Biodiversity — the range and variety of different species of organisms on Earth or within an ecosystem. Example: High biodiversity is found in environments with many different species showing a lot of variation.
- Interdependence — the reliance of species on one another for food, shelter, and other needs. Example: Bees pollinate flowers, which in turn provide nectar for bees.
- Abiotic Factors — non-living components of an ecosystem that affect living organisms. Example: Light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis in plants.
- Biotic Factors — living components of an ecosystem that affect other organisms. Example: The availability of food can increase a population's chance of survival.
- Parasitism — a relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another. Example: Mistletoe extracts water and nutrients from spruce trees, harming them.
Exam Tips
Key Definitions to Remember
- Biodiversity
- Interdependence
- Abiotic Factors
- Biotic Factors
- Parasitism
Common Confusions
- Confusing biodiversity with just the number of species, rather than variety and distribution.
- Misunderstanding interdependence as only food-related, not including shelter and other needs.
Typical Exam Questions
- What is biodiversity? Biodiversity is the range and variety of different species of organisms on Earth or within an ecosystem.
- How do abiotic factors affect ecosystems? Abiotic factors like light intensity and temperature affect processes such as photosynthesis and organism survival.
- What is an example of interdependence? Bees pollinate flowers, which provide nectar for bees.
What Examiners Usually Test
- Understanding of how human activities impact biodiversity.
- Ability to explain the importance of biodiversity for ecosystem stability.
- Knowledge of the effects of abiotic and biotic factors on ecosystems.