Biology Revision Notes - Ecosystems and

Crop Yield

Trophic Levels and Data Analysis

Pyramid of Numbers

A graphical representation of the number of organisms at each trophic level in an

ecosystem.

Producers form the base, with subsequent levels representing primary, secondary, and
tertiary consumers.

The shape is typically pyramidal, reflecting a decrease in the number of organisms at

higher trophic levels.

Definitions

Population : A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the
same time.

Community : All the different populations of species living in the same habitat.

Ecosystem : The interaction of a community of living organisms (biotic factors) with the
non-living (abiotic) parts of their environment.

Habitat : The place where an organism lives.

Biotic Factor : A living component of an ecosystem that affects other organisms or the
environment (e.g., competition, predation).

Crop Plants and Glasshouses

Factors Affecting Crop Yield

Temperature

Increasing temperature can increase the rate of photosynthesis up to a certain point.

Higher temperatures increase the rate of enzyme-controlled reactions involved in

photosynthesis.

However, excessively high temperatures can lead to enzyme denaturation , reducing

photosynthetic efficiency and crop yield.

Fertilizer Supply

Fertilizers provide essential minerals/ions/salts/nutrients for plant growth.

Nitrates are crucial for the synthesis of amino acids and proteins .

Magnesium is essential for the production of chlorophyll , necessary for photosynthesis.

Phosphates are important for ATP and DNA production.

Sustainable Glasshouse Systems

Advantages

1. Controlled Environment :

Light, carbon dioxide, and temperature can be optimized for photosynthesis.

This ensures no limiting factors for photosynthesis, leading to higher yields and faster
production.

2. Economic Benefits for Farmers :

Higher yield leads to increased profit.

Reduced costs by using waste products like carbon dioxide from power stations.

3. Environmental Benefits :

Wood can be used as a renewable energy source.

Reduced reliance on fossil fuels.

Capturing carbon dioxide prevents its release into the atmosphere, reducing
greenhouse effects.

Less use of fossil fuels reduces sulfur dioxide emissions, minimizing acid rain.
 Reduced food miles because of local tomato production.

4. Protection :

Protection from pests, diseases, frost, cold, and bad weather.

Carbon Dioxide Enrichment

Carbon dioxide concentration in a glasshouse can be enriched by using a heater that

burns fossil fuels, which produce carbon dioxide and water. Carbon dioxide is a key
reactant for photosynthesis.

Glasshouse Materials and Reasons for Use

(The document does not contain information about glasshouse materials)

Limiting Factors and Crop Plant Growth

Limiting Factors

Limiting factors are environmental conditions that restrict the rate of photosynthesis when
they are in short supply.

Three main factors are:

Temperature

Light intensity

Carbon dioxide concentration

Temperature as a Limiting Factor

As temperature increases, the rate of photosynthesis generally increases due to faster

enzyme activity.

Beyond an optimum temperature, enzymes denature, and the rate decreases.

Light Intensity as a Limiting Factor

 Increased light intensity leads to a faster rate of photosynthesis.

This continues until another factor becomes limiting.

Carbon Dioxide Concentration as a Limiting Factor

Higher carbon dioxide concentrations increase the rate of photosynthesis.

The increase continues until another factor becomes limiting.

Food Chains and Food Webs

Food Chains

Linear sequence showing the transfer of energy from one organism to another.

Organized by trophic levels .

Food Webs

Interconnected network of multiple food chains in an ecosystem.

Illustrates how organisms interact and depend on each other.

Shows how population changes can affect the entire ecosystem.

Pyramids of Numbers

Represents the number of organisms at each trophic level.

Producers at the base, with numbers generally decreasing at higher levels.

Exceptions exist, such as a single large tree supporting many insects.

Pyramids of Biomass

Represents the total dry mass of organisms at each trophic level.

Biomass decreases as you move up trophic levels.

 Not all consumed food is converted into biomass; some is lost through waste and
respiration.

Energy Transfer

Producers convert only about 1% of incident light energy into biomass through
photosynthesis.

Only about 10% of the biomass from each trophic level is transferred to the next.

Reasons for energy loss:

Not all biomass is eaten (e.g., bones, hooves).

Not all eaten biomass is converted into the consumer's biomass.

Energy is used in respiration, producing carbon dioxide.

Waste products like urea are excreted in urine.

Undigested material is egested as feces.

Efficiency of Biomass Transfer

Efficiency is calculated as:

Biomass transferred to the next level

Efficiency = × 100
Biomass available at the previous level
Efficiency = Biomass available at the previous levelBiomass transferred to the next level​

× 100

Due to energy losses at each level, there are fewer organisms at higher trophic levels.

Cycles within Ecosystems

Carbon Cycle

Respiration
 Plants, animals, and decomposers release carbon dioxide into the air through aerobic
respiration.

Photosynthesis

Plants remove carbon dioxide from the air during photosynthesis.

Decomposition

Decomposers break down dead plants and animals, releasing carbon back into the
atmosphere.

Combustion

Burning plants and fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Nitrogen Cycle

Atmospheric nitrogen gas is unreactive and cannot be directly used by plants.

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert nitrogen gas into usable nitrates.

Lightning can also convert nitrogen gas into nitrates.

Decomposers break down proteins in dead matter into ammonia.

Populations in Ecosystems

Definitions

Individual : A single organism within a species.

Population : A group of individuals of the same species living in the same habitat.

Community : All the different populations interacting within a habitat.

Ecosystem : The interaction of a community with the non-living (abiotic) components of

the environment.

Practical: Quadrat Sampling

 Quadrats : Square frames used to sample organisms in a defined area.

Transect : A defined path or area where samples are taken.

1. Place quadrats along the transect or randomly within the area.

2. Count the number of organisms of the chosen species in each quadrat.

3. Alternatively, estimate the percentage cover of the species.

4. Accuracy is improved by increasing sample size, repeating tests, and using larger transects.

Biodiversity

Definition

A measure of the range of species living within an ecosystem.

Practical: Measuring Biodiversity with Quadrats

1. Use the same quadrat method as above.

2. Instead of counting one species, count the populations of different species within each
quadrat.

3. Improve reliability by:

Randomly placing quadrats (e.g., using a random number generator).

Using the same size quadrats each time.

Increasing the number of samples taken in each area.

Abiotic and Biotic Factors

Abiotic Factors (Non-living)

Light intensity : Affects photosynthesis rates and plant growth.

Temperature : Affects photosynthesis rates.

Moisture levels : Essential for survival of plants and animals.

 Soil pH and mineral content : Affects decay rates and nutrient availability.

Biotic Factors (Living)

Food availability : Affects population sizes.

New predators : Can reduce prey populations.

New pathogens : Can wipe out populations with no resistance.

Competition : Can reduce populations of less-adapted species.

Feeding Relationships

Trophic Levels

Feeding levels in a food chain.

Producers

Organisms that make their own food by photosynthesis (e.g., plants and algae).

Primary Consumers

Herbivores that eat producers.

Secondary Consumers

Carnivores that eat primary consumers.

Tertiary Consumers

Carnivores that eat secondary consumers; often apex predators.

Decomposers

Bacteria and fungi that break down dead organisms and waste for energy.