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Learning objective

Students should be able to: • explain the concepts of ecosystem, population, community, habitat, and niche • outline the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) elements of an ecosystem, including: biotic factors such as producers, primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers, and decomposers; abiotic factors such as temperature, humidity, water, oxygen, salinity, light, and pH • discuss interactions among living organisms, including competition, predation, and pollination • explain the process of photosynthesis and the role of chlorophyll, including the relevant word equation • illustrate energy transfer through food chains, food webs, and trophic levels • describe and interpret ecological pyramids in terms of numbers and energy • explain the process of respiration and its word equation • outline the carbon cycle.

Read the explanation, check the common trap, then practise with flashcards and questions.

Exam focus

  • Read the explanation.
  • Check key terms.
  • Practise with linked questions.
Cambridge IGCSE Environmental ManagementNatural ecosystems and human activities

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Quick explanation

Students should be able to: • explain the concepts of ecosystem, population, community, habitat, and niche • outline the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) elements of an ecosystem, including: biotic factors such as producers, primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers, and decomposers; abiotic factors such as temperature, humidity, water, oxygen, salinity, light, and pH • discuss interactions among living organisms, including competition, predation, and pollination • explain the process of photosynthesis and the role of chlorophyll, including the relevant word equation • illustrate energy transfer through food chains, food webs, and trophic levels • describe and interpret ecological pyramids in terms of numbers and energy • explain the process of respiration and its word equation • outline the carbon cycle

  • This point belongs to Ecosystems, especially Ecosystems outcomes.
  • You need to be able to students should be able to: • explain the concepts of ecosystem, population, community, habitat, and niche • outline the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) elements of an ecosystem, including: biotic factors such as producers, primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers, and decomposers; abiotic factors such as temperature, humidity, water, oxygen, salinity, light, and pH • discuss interactions among living organisms, including competition, predation, and pollination • explain the process of photosynthesis and the role of chlorophyll, including the relevant word equation • illustrate energy transfer through food chains, food webs, and trophic levels • describe and interpret ecological pyramids in terms of numbers and energy • explain the process of respiration and its word equation • outline the carbon cycle.
  • The key ideas to know are Define, Describe, and State.
  • Use the linked flashcards and practice questions to check recall, then practise applying the idea in an exam-style answer.

Key concepts

DefineDescribeStateExplain

Why it matters

This objective helps connect Ecosystems outcomes to exam-style questions, flashcards, and revision notes for Ecosystems.

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Paper 1 structured question: Ecosystems

Paper 1Theory4 marks

Description

Ecosystem Components

An ecosystem includes living organisms such as plants, herbivores, carnivores, and decomposers, as well as non-living factors like temperature, water, and light.

  1. a

    Define Define the term 'population' in an ecosystem.

    Aim for approximately 1 distinct marking point.

    [1]
  2. b

    Explain Explain the role of decomposers in an ecosystem.

    Aim for approximately 3 distinct marking points.

    [3]
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