Life and ecosystems
An ecosystem is made up of living organisms and the physical environment in which they interact. Plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms can be connected through food webs, competition, cooperation and the movement of nutrients. A change to one part of an ecosystem can affect many others.
Adaptation and survival
Living organisms have characteristics that help them survive and reproduce in particular environments. Adaptations can involve body structures, behaviour or biological processes. Over generations, inherited variation and natural selection can contribute to populations becoming better suited to their surroundings.
Habitats and biodiversity
A habitat provides the conditions an organism needs to live. Forests, grasslands, wetlands, oceans and deserts support different communities of life. Biodiversity describes the variety of living organisms and is important because ecosystems depend on many interacting species and processes.
Learning from the natural world
Nature is easier to understand when individual facts are connected to relationships. Instead of only memorising a species name, consider its habitat, food, behaviour and role in its ecosystem. Quiz explanations can provide a useful starting point for those connections.