Study Notes
The organisation of an ecosystem involves understanding the interactions between living organisms and their environment, including both biotic and abiotic factors.
- Population — a group of organisms of the same species living in the same place at the same time. Example: A herd of deer in a forest.
- Community — all the populations living in the same area at the same time. Example: Deer, trees, and birds in a forest.
- Habitat — the place where an organism lives. Example: A pond for frogs.
- Ecosystem — all the biotic and abiotic factors that interact within an area at one time. Example: A garden pond or the whole of Antarctica.
- Interdependence — the reliance of species on one another for food, shelter, and other needs. Example: Bees pollinating flowers.
- Parasitism — a relationship where a parasite benefits at the expense of the host. Example: Mistletoe on a spruce tree.
- Mutualism — a relationship where both species benefit. Example: Bees and flowering plants.
- Quadrat — a square frame used for sampling organisms in an area. Example: Used to measure plant species in a field.
Exam Tips
Key Definitions to Remember
- Population
- Community
- Habitat
- Ecosystem
- Interdependence
- Parasitism
- Mutualism
- Quadrat
Common Confusions
- Confusing biotic and abiotic factors
- Mixing up mutualism and parasitism
Typical Exam Questions
- What is a population? A group of organisms of the same species living in the same place at the same time.
- What is interdependence? The reliance of species on one another for food, shelter, and other needs.
- What does a quadrat measure? It measures the presence and abundance of species in a specific area.
What Examiners Usually Test
- Understanding of key terms like population, community, and ecosystem
- Ability to explain interactions such as mutualism and parasitism
- Application of sampling methods like using quadrats