NZQA registered unit standard
26510 version 2
Page 1 of 3
Title
Demonstrate knowledge of ecosystems
Level
4
Credits
4
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to describe: the
relationship between biotic and abiotic components of an
ecosystem; ecological flows and cycles; changes in a biological
community; and population dynamics.
Classification
Science > Biology
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
This unit standard could include some field work carried out in a local ecosystem.
2
Glossary
Ecosystem refers to a defined area of an environment through which energy flows
and nutrients are cycled.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe the relationship between biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.
Evidence requirements
1.1
The distribution of organisms is described in relation to the biotic and abiotic
components of an ecosystem.
Range
1.2
interspecific, intraspecific.
The concept of ecological niche is described in terms of the interactions of the
ecosystem components.
Outcome 2
Describe ecological flows and cycles.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Movement of energy is described in terms of the ecosystem.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
2.2
26510 version 2
Page 2 of 3
Cycling of nutrients within a biological community are described in terms of the
ecosystem.
one of – carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle.
Range
Outcome 3
Describe changes in a biological community.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Ecological succession is described in terms of changes in a biological
community.
3.2
The effect of pioneer and subsequent species is described in terms of changes
in a biological community.
Outcome 4
Describe population dynamics.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Population dynamics are described in terms of the ecosystem.
Range
population growth and density, K and R strategists, density
dependent, density independent.
Replacement information
This unit standard replaced unit standard 9225.
Planned review date
31 December 2017
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
21 May 2010
N/A
Rollover and
Revision
2
27 January 2015
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0152
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
26510 version 2
Page 3 of 3
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact NZQA National Qualifications Services nqs@nzqa.govt.nz if you wish to
suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016