2.1.1

Ecosystems

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Organisms in Ecosystems

Ecosystems are made up of living and non-living things in a specific area. The organisms in ecosystems can be classified based on their roles:

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Producers

  • Producers use light energy from the Sun to make their own food.
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Consumers

  • Consumers can't make their own food. Instead, they get their energy by consuming other organisms (producers or other consumers).
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Decomposers

  • Decomposers (e.g. bacteria, fungi) recycle organic matter within an ecosystem. They're crucial for the ecosystem function of nutrient cycling:
    • Through decomposition, nutrients are put back into the soil.
    • Plants take up these nutrients as food. These plants may go on to be eaten by consumers.
    • When plants or consumers die, the nutrients are returned to the soil.
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Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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