Organisms living in the environment

Ecology

Habitat

A place where an organism lives

Population

A group of organisms of the same species in the same place (same habitat) at the same time

Community

All the population living in the same area ( same habitat)

Ecosystem

All abiotic & biotic factors interacting within the same area (same habitat)

Interdependence

In a community, species depends on other species to survive.

If one species is removed, all species are affected

Biodiversity

Range & variety of different species of organisms within an ecosystem

Considers:

* Species richness
* variation within species
* distribution
* population size

Importance of BIODIVERSITY

Different species depend on each other for:

* Shelter
* Food
* Maintenance of the physical environment

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Importance of High Biodiversity

High biodiversity ensures stability as it reduces interdependence

Population with high biodiversity are more likely to be resilient against environmental impacts or diseases

Name abiotic factors

Moisture levels

Carbon dioxide levels

Oxygen levels

Soil & Mineral pH

Wind Intensity & direction

Temperature

Light intensity

Importance of moisture levels

Water is required by animals & plants to survive

Importance of Carbon Dioxide levels for plants

Carbon dioxide is needed for photosynthesis

Carbon dioxide concentration affects the rate of photosynthesis

Importance of Oxygen levels for aquatic organisms

Some aquatic creatures can only survive in water with high oxygen concentration

Importance of soil & mineral pH

Different species of plants are adapted to different soil pH levels & different nutrient concentration levels

Soil pH levels affect the level of decay and the rate at which the mineral ions are returned to the soil

Importance of Wind intensity & direction

Affects transpiration rate

Affects the rate of photosynthesis as transpiration ensures that water and mineral ion are taken up by the soil

Importance of Temperature

Affects the rate of photosynthesis

Importance of light intensity

Light is required for photosynthesis to occur

Affects the rate of plant growth