Ecosystems | AQA GCSE Geography

GCSE Geography Students, test your knowledge & understanding of ecosystems with this interactive topic quiz - produced by the tutor2u Geography team.

Click here for the quiz: Ecosystems | AQA GCSE Geography

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms and their physical environment, all interacting and interdependent. Here are some key characteristics of ecosystems:

• Biodiversity: An ecosystem is made up of a wide variety of organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.
• Abiotic factors: The physical environment, including soil, climate, and topography, is an essential component of an ecosystem.
• Interdependence: All organisms in an ecosystem are interconnected and depend on each other for survival, forming complex food chains and nutrient cycles.
• Energy flow: Energy flows through ecosystems in a one-way direction, from the sun to plants and then to animals that consume them.
• Balance: Ecosystems maintain a delicate balance between the various components, and any disturbance, such as pollution or habitat loss, can have a ripple effect on the entire ecosystem.
• Fragility: Despite their resilience, ecosystems are fragile and vulnerable to human activities, such as deforestation, pollution, and habitat destruction.