Topic 2 Ecology
In this section we support learning in Topic 2: Ecology with the subtopics 2.1 - 2.5, Individuals and populations, communities and ecosystems, Energy and biomass in ecosystems, Biogeochemical cycles, Climate and biomes, Zonation, succession and change in ecosystems.
2.1 Individuals and Populations, Communities and Ecosystems
This subtopic introduces the basic fundamentals of ecology including the concept of a niche, population biology, measuring populations, carrying capacity, keystone species, biosphere integrity and planetary...
2.2: Energy and biomass in ecosystems
Ecosystems rely on the flow of energy (from sunlight to chemical) and cycling of nutrients. These transfers can be modelled using food chains and diagrams. However, human actions disrupt this flow, having a significant impact on the health of ecosystems.
2.3 Biogeochemical cycles
Nature has its own recycling mechanisms that are built into the environment. In this section, you can learn about geochemical recycling and how human activities impact these natural systems. The focus is on how human activities affect nutrient cycling and the consequences of such impacts on the sustainability of environmental systems.
2.4:Climate and Biomes
This section explores the differences between the terms climate and weather and how climate factors govern biome distribution around the world. The topic also considers the effects of atmospheric circulation...
2.5: Zonation, succession and change in ecosystems
This section explores the concept of change, both over time (succession) and over an environmental gradient (zonation). We will look at the Broadbalk Wilderness at Rothamsted as a case study of secondary...