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Ecology

Ecosystems consist of both biotic and abiotic components, where energy flows from producers to consumers and decomposers, forming intricate food chains and webs. Essential nutrient cycles, including the carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles, sustain life within ecosystems. Population dynamics are influenced by factors such as growth patterns, limiting factors, and species interactions, while human activities pose significant challenges to biodiversity, necessitating conservation strategies and global cooperation.

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Sections

  • 4

    Ecology

    Ecology encompasses the study of ecosystems, energy flow, nutrient cycles, and the interactions within populations and communities.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.1

    Ecosystems: Structure And Energy Flow

    This section delves into the components of ecosystems, the flow of energy through trophic levels, the structure of food chains and webs, and the significance of energy pyramids.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.1.1

    Ecosystem Components

    Ecosystems consist of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components, with energy flowing primarily from producers to consumers and decomposers.

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  • 4.1.2

    Energy Flow

    Energy flows through ecosystems from producers to consumers, with significant loss primarily as heat at each trophic level.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.1.3

    Food Chains And Webs

    Food chains and webs illustrate how energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem, highlighting the interconnectedness of organisms.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.1.4

    Energy Pyramids

    Energy pyramids illustrate how energy is distributed across different trophic levels in an ecosystem.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.2

    Nutrient Cycles

    The nutrient cycles encompass the carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles, illustrating how essential elements are recycled through the environment and living organisms.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.2.1

    Carbon Cycle

    The Carbon Cycle describes the continuous movement of carbon among the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.2.2

    Nitrogen Cycle

    The nitrogen cycle describes the processes through which nitrogen moves through the ecosystem, including fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.2.3

    Water Cycle

    The water cycle refers to the continuous movement of water in various forms within the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.3

    Populations And Communities

    This section discusses population growth models, limiting factors, and community interactions within ecosystems.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.3.1

    Population Growth

    This section explores the processes and models of population growth, including exponential and logistic growth, as well as the factors that limit population increases.

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  • 4.3.2

    Logistic Growth

    Logistic growth describes how populations grow more slowly as they approach their environment's carrying capacity, while considering resource limitations.

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  • 4.3.3

    Limiting Factors

    Limiting factors are environmental variables that restrict population growth and can be categorized as density-dependent or density-independent.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.3.4

    Community Interactions

    Communities consist of various species that interact in different ways, influencing population dynamics and ecological balance.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.4

    Human Impact On Ecosystems And Conservation Biology

    Human activities significantly affect ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss and necessitating conservation strategies.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.4.1

    Human Activities

    Human activities have dramatically impacted ecosystems through deforestation, pollution, and urbanization, leading to biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.

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  • 4.4.2

    Conservation Strategies

    Conservation strategies aim to protect and restore biodiversity through various approaches and initiatives.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.4.3

    Global Initiatives

    This section discusses international agreements aimed at conservation and biodiversity.

    Learning Practice

References

Untitled document (19).pdf

Class Notes

Memorization

What we have learnt

  • An ecosystem comprises both...
  • Energy flow through ecosyst...
  • Nutrient cycles, including ...

Final Test

Revision Tests

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