Learning Objectives
WJEC A2
Introduction to Ecology
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Understand the concept of ecosystems
Define habitat and community
Describe how climate change can affect species distribution
Define and give examples of inter and intra-specific competition
Spec links: BY5 5.5 Variation and evolution
 Inter and intra-specific competition for breeding success and survival (e.g. supply of food,
breeding sites, climate)
Spec links: BY5 5.7 Energy and Ecosystems
 The concept of ecosystems
 The concept of habitat and community
Spec links: BY5 5.8 Effects of Human activities and sustainability
 Global warming and climate change affect distribution of species and are a possible cause of
extinction.
Sheltered Rocky Shore Investigation
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Collect quantitative data from at least one habitat
use percentage cover and frequency as measures of abundance
Spec links: Fieldwork skills
 collection of quantitative data from at least one habitat
 the use of percentage cover and frequency as measures of abundance
Gastropod Microhabitat Investigation
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Use frame quadrats to collect quantitative data
Construct an appropriate null hypothesis
Use a statistical test to analyse the data, Chi Squared
Spec links: Fieldwork Skills
 the use of frame quadrats and line transects
 the application of elementary statistical analysis to the results
Spec links: Practical and Investigative Skills
 Null hypothesis
 Chi squared
Effect of Exposure Investigation
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Environmental factors produce variation between individuals
Construct an appropriate null hypothesis
Use a statistical test to analyse the data, t-test
Spec links: BY5 5.5 Variation and evolution
 Genetic and environmental factors produce variation between individuals
Spec links: Fieldwork Skills
 the application of elementary statistical analysis to the results
Spec links: Practical and Investigative Skills
 Null hypothesis
 Standard deviation
 T-test
Saltmarsh Investigation
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Describe the process of succession
Use the terms primary and secondary succession, pioneers, sere and climax
community
Collect quantitative data from at least one habitat
Spec links: BY5 5.7 Energy and Ecosystems
 Principles of succession as illustrated by the change from bare rock to woodland. Use of
terms primary and secondary succession, pioneers, sere and climax community.
Spec links: Fieldwork Skills
 collection of quantitative data from at least one habitat
Quadrat Comparison
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Construct an appropriate a null hypothesis
Calculate the Spearman’s Rank test statistic
Spec links: Practical and Investigative Skills
 Null hypothesis
 Correlation
Energy Flow Investigation (Freshwater/Rocky Shore)
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Explain how energy enters the ecosystem
Explain what happens to energy as it is transferred through a food chain
Describe gross and net production
Draw pyramids of number, biomass and energy
Spec links: BY5 5.7 Energy and Ecosystems
 The sun is the source of energy for the ecosystem
 Transfer of energy from plants to animals.
 Trophic levels and the efficiency of energy transfer. Gross and net production
 Pyramids of energy
Conservation Study
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Explain conflicts between production and conservation and possible solutions
Provide reasons for deforestation and describe the impacts on biodiversity
Explain how forests are managed
Explain why environmental monitoring is needed for conservation
Spec links:BY5 5.8 Effects of Human activities and sustainability
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The conservation of gene pools in the wild and in captivity
Conflicts between production and conservation and possible means to resolve such conflicts
forests: reasons for and scale of forest destruction, consequences, managed forests,
ecotourism. Native woodlands and biodiversity
oceans: the problems of over-fishing and attempts at regulation as illustrated by the
principle of quotas, exclusion zones and restricted net mesh size, human choices. Fish
farming and associated issues.
Increased human pressures on the environment.
The need to achieve sustainability by changes in human attitudes and informed choices.
The need for political decision making to be informed by knowledge based on sound scientific
principles.
Environmental monitoring and the need to provide data which is reliable and valid