ESO 4 B&G 6

Dynamics of Ecosystems

What to Learn

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  • Ecosystems: concept, components. The Ecosphere.
  • Ecological factors; conditions and resources. Limiting factors. Tolerance curves. Ecological niche. Habitat.
  • Ecological factors in land ecosystems.
  • Ecological factors in aquatic ecosystems.
  • Ecological succession.
  • Biotic interactions: intraspecific and interspecific interactions.
  • Population growth. Positive and negative feedback in the interspecific interactions. Plagues and their control.
  • Feeding interactions: flow of energy and matter in the ecosystems; producers, consumers and decomposers; food chains and food webs; trophic pyramids.
  • Biogeochemical cycles.
  • Atmospheric pollution: the greenhouse effect and the global warming; the slimming of the ozone layer; acid precipitations.
  • Water consumption: water treatment and sewage treatment.
  • Water pollution: fertilisers, industrial pollutants, thermal pollution.
  • Other major human influences in the ecosystems.

Key Information

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Mind Map: The Nitrogen cycle
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Presentation: We are eating up our world
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Videos

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Global Warming
Global Warming

Global Warming

Global Warming is a hot topic. This video looks at the evidence and focuses on these two questions: "is the Earth getting warmer?" and "what are the effects of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere?"

Produced by Cassiopeia Project

The truth about global warming

The truth about global warming

A simple and effective way to see how human activity relates to global warming.

Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis

Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis

The IPCC has produced a video on its Fifth Assessment Report (AR5). The first part on the Working Group I contribution to AR5 is now available.

Produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Ask for a better world

Ask for a better world

Global warming: when you feel it, it's already too late.

Produced by Ponto de Criação

Teens, frogs and climate change

Teens, frogs and climate change

With frogs and other amphibians already dying in large numbers, a group of teenagers is joining other amateur scientists to gather information on the problem.

Produced by ScienCentral

Early birds and springtime

Early birds and springtime

A growing body of evidence shows that birds are nesting earlier due to global warming, with potentially harmful consequences.

Produced by ScienCentral

Acid Rain
Coal combustion and acid rain

Coal combustion and acid rain

Watch how sulphur-rich coal is a major source of acid rain and what can be done to mitigate its damage.

Produced by Britannica.com

Analysing acid rain

Analysing acid rain

Visit this research station in the Black Forest, Germany, to watch rainwater being tested for acidity.

Produced by Britannica.com

Images

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Podcasts

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Environmental Almanac 
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Activities

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