Study Cards – A Local Ecosystem
Instructions:
 Click on the dot point numbers in the ‘list of outcomes’ below to edit your cards.
 Make your own notes in your own words to avoid plagiarism.

Use the textbook to select a question for each dot point .
BOS
OC
Topic
OC
8.2.1.5
Topic Outcome Descriptions
8.2.1
The distribution, diversity and numbers of plants and animals found in ecosystems are determined by biotic and abiotic factors.
8.2.1.1
Compare the abiotic characteristics of aquatic and terrestrial environments.
8.2.1.2
Identify the factors determining the distribution and abundance of a species in each environment.
8.2.1.3
Describe the roles of photosynthesis and respiration in ecosystems.
8.2.1.4
Identify uses of energy by organisms.
Identify the general equation for aerobic cellular respiration and outline this as a summary of a chain of biochemical reactions.
8.2.1.6
Process and analyse information obtained from a variety of sampling studies to justify the use of different sampling techniques to make population estimates when total counts cannot be performed.
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Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies
NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

BOS
OC
Topic
OC
Topic Outcome Descriptions
8.2.2
Each local aquatic or terrestrial ecosystem is unique.
8.2.2.1
8.2.2.2
Examine trends in population estimates for some plant and animal species within an ecosystem.
Outline factors that affect numbers in predator and prey populations in the area studied.
8.2.2.3
Identify examples of allelopathy, parasitism, mutualism and commensalism in an ecosystem and the role of organisms in each type of relationship.
8.2.2.4
Describe the role of decomposers in ecosystems.
8.2.2.5
8.2.2.8
Explain trophic interactions between organisms in an ecosystem using food chains, food webs and pyramids of biomass and energy.
8.2.2.6
Define the term adaptation and discuss the problems associated with inferring characteristics of organisms as adaptations for living in a particular habitat.
8.2.2.7
Identify some adaptations of living things to factors in their environment.
Identify and describe in detail adaptations of a plant and an animal from the local ecosystem.
8.2.2.9
Describe and explain the short-term and long-term consequences on the ecosystem of species competing for resources.
8.2.2.10
Identify the impact of humans in the ecosystem studied.
Choose equipment or resources and undertake a field study of a local terrestrial or
8.2.2.11a
8.2.2.11b
aquatic ecosystem to identify data sources and:
 measure abiotic variables in the ecosystem being studied using appropriate instruments and relate this data to the distribution of organisms
 estimate the size of a plant population and an animal population in the ecosystem using transects and/or random quadrats
 collect, analyse and present data to describe the distribution of the plant and animal species whose abundance has been estimated
 describe two trophic interactions found between organisms in the area studied
Choose equipment or resources and undertake a field study of a local terrestrial or aquatic ecosystem to identify data sources and gather, present and analyse data by:
 tabulation of data collected in the study
 calculation of mean values with ranges
 graphing changes with time in the measured abiotic data
 evaluating variability in measurements made during scientific investigations.
Gather information from first-hand and secondary sources to construct food
8.2.2.12
chains and food webs to illustrate the relationships between member species in an ecosystem.
Process and analyse information and present a report of the investigation of an
8.2.2.13
ecosystem in which the purpose is introduced, the methods described and the results shown graphically and use available evidence to discuss their relevance . completed
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies
NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

Checklist of sample past HSC style questions for Local Ecosystem
DOT POINT LINK TO TEXTBOOK QUESTION
8.2.1.1 1.5 Q1–4; 1.6 Q1–8
8.2.1.2
8.2.1.3
8.2.1.4
8.2.1.5
1.2 Q1–11; 1.4 Q1–8
1.7 Q2–7, 9–11
1.7 Q1
1.7
8.2.1.6
8.2.2.1
8.2.2.2
8.2.2.3
8.2.2.4
8.2.2.5
8.2.2.6
8.2.2.7
8.2.2.8
8.2.2.9
8.2.2.10
8.2.2.11a
8.2.2.11b
8.2.2.12
8.2.2.13
INV 3 Questions
1.3 Q1–9
1.8 Q5
1.8 Q1–3, 6–8
1.7 Q8
1.9 Q1–10
1.1 Q1–7
1.1 Q8
1.1 Q5, 9
1.8 Q4
1.10 Q1–10
INV2; INV4; 1.8 Q9–12
Practice Exam Q13
INV5 Questions (see also 8.2.2.5)
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Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies
NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.1.1
Compare the abiotic characteristics of aquatic and terrestrial environments.
DOT POINT 8.2.1.1 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.1.1 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.1.1 ANSWER
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.1.2
Identify the factors determining the distribution and abundance of a species in each environment.
DOT POINT 8.2.1.2 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.1.2 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.1.2 ANSWER
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.1.3
Describe the roles of photosynthesis and respiration in ecosystems.
DOT POINT 8.2.1.3 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.1.3 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.1.3 ANSWER
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.1.4
Identify uses of energy by organisms.
DOT POINT 8.2.1.4 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.1.4 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.1.4 ANSWER
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.1.5
Identify the general equation for aerobic cellular respiration and outline this as a summary of a chain of biochemical reactions.
DOT POINT 8.2.1.5 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.1.5 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.1.5 ANSWER
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.1.6
Process and analyse information obtained from a variety of sampling studies to justify the use of different sampling techniques to make population estimates when total counts cannot be performed.
DOT POINT 8.2.1.6 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.1.6 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.1.6 ANSWER
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.2.1
Examine trends in population estimates for some plant and animal species within an ecosystem.
DOT POINT 8.2.2.1 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.2.1 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.2.1 ANSWER
back to focus 2
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.2.2
Outline factors that affect numbers in predator and prey populations in the area studied.
DOT POINT 8.2.2.2 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.2.2 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.2.2 ANSWER
back to focus 2
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.2.3
Identify examples of allelopathy, parasitism, mutualism and commensalism in an ecosystem and the role of organisms in each type of relationship.
DOT POINT 8.2.2.3 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.2.3 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.2.3 ANSWER
back to focus 2
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.2.4
Describe the role of decomposers in ecosystems.
DOT POINT 8.2.2.4 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.2.4 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.2.4 ANSWER
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Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.2.5
Explain trophic interactions between organisms in an ecosystem using food chains, food webs and pyramids of biomass and energy.
DOT POINT 8.2.2.5 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.2.5 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.2.5 ANSWER
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Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.2.6
Define the term adaptation and discuss the problems associated with inferring characteristics of organisms as adaptations for living in a particular habitat.
DOT POINT 8.2.2.6 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.2.6 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.2.6 ANSWER
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Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.2.7
Identify some adaptations of living things to factors in their environment.
DOT POINT 8.2.2.7 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.2.7 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.2.7 ANSWER
back to focus 2
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.2.8
Identify and describe in detail adaptations of a plant and an animal from the local ecosystem.
DOT POINT 8.2.2.8 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.2.8 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.2.8 ANSWER
back to focus 2
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.2.9
Describe and explain the short-term and long-term consequences on the ecosystem of species competing for resources.
DOT POINT 8.2.2.9 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.2.9 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.2.9 ANSWER
back to focus 2
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.2.10
Identify the impact of humans in the ecosystem studied.
DOT POINT 8.2.2.10 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.2.10 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.2.10 ANSWER
back to focus 2
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.2.11a
Choose equipment or resources and undertake a field study of a local terrestrial or aquatic ecosystem to identify data sources and: measure abiotic variables in the ecosystem being studied using appropriate instruments and relate this data to the distribution of organisms estimate the size of a plant population and an animal population in the ecosystem using transects and/or random quadrats collect, analyse and present data to describe the distribution of the plant and animal species whose abundance has been estimated describe two trophic interactions found between organisms in the area studied
DOT POINT 8.2.2.11a QUESTION
DOT POINT 8.2.2.11a NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.2.11a ANSWER
back to focus 2
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.2.11b
Choose equipment or resources and undertake a field study of a local terrestrial or aquatic ecosystem to identify data sources and gather, present and analyse data by: tabulation of data collected in the study calculation of mean values with ranges graphing changes with time in the measured abiotic data evaluating variability in measurements made during scientific investigations.
DOT POINT 8.2.2.11b NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.2.11b QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.2.11b ANSWER
back to focus 2
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.2.12
Gather information from first-hand and secondary sources to construct food chains and food webs to illustrate the relationships between member species in an ecosystem.
DOT POINT 8.2.2.12 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.2.12 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.2.12 ANSWER
back to focus 2
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002

DOT POINT 8.2.2.13
Process and analyse information and present a report of the investigation of an ecosystem in which the purpose is introduced, the methods described and the results shown graphically and use available evidence to discuss their relevance.
DOT POINT 8.2.2.13 NOTES back to top
DOT POINT 8.2.2.13 QUESTION DOT POINT 8.2.2.13 ANSWER
back to focus 2
Biology in Context ISBN 978 0 19 556626 0
© Oxford University Press Australia; Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in rights of the State of New South Wales, 2002