GCSE Science – Practical Ecology

The following is an example of how this course might look. This course usually runs from 9.30am – 3.30pm, but times can be adjusted to suit your group and travel plans. There is also the option to extend the day to allow more time for fieldwork and more detailed follow up.

Morning

Organisms and their habitats

Students will use a variety of fieldwork techniques to measure abiotic and biotic factors within a habitat.

They will use random sampling to measure the population of common species and measure abiotic factors such as temperature and light intensity.

Reviewing the data collected, students will consider how environmental factors are affecting the distribution and abundance of organisms within a habitat.

Afternoon

Investigate change along a transect

Building on the fieldwork sills developed in the morning, students will carry out an investigation looking at how the distribution and abundance of particular plant species changes along an environmental gradient. They will use systematic sampling along an interrupted belt transect.

They will finish the day with analysis of the data collected and evaluation of their methodologies.

AQA GCSE Biology 4.7.1 Adaptations, interdependence and competition 4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem 4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems 8.2.9 Required practical activity 9 AQA GCSE Combined Science: Synergy 4.4.2 Ecosystems and biodiversity 8.2.12 Required practical activity 12 AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy 4.7.1 Adaptations, interdependence and competition 4.7.2 Organisations of an ecosystem 4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems 10.2.7 Required practical activity 7 Edexcel GCSE Science and Biology Subject content from Topic 9 – Ecosystems and material cycles. 9.5 Core Practical: Investigate the relationship between organisms and their environment using field-work techniques, including quadrats and belt transects. Edexcel International GCSE Science and Biology Subject content from Topic 4 – Ecology and the environment. Practical activities: 4.2 investigate the population size of an organism in two different areas using quadrats 4.4B investigate the distribution of organisms in their habitats and measure biodiversity using quadrats OCR GCSE Gateway Science Suite Biology A and Combined Science A Topic B4: Community level systems – B4.1 Ecosystems Topic B6: Global Challenges – B6.1 Monitoring and maintaining the environment Biology PAG 3 and Combined Science PAG B2: Sampling techniques OCR GCSE 21st Century Science Suite Biology B and Combined Science B Chapter B3: Living together- food and ecosystems B3.3 How are organisms in an ecosystem interdependent? B3.4 How are populations affected by conditions in an ecosystem? Biology PAG 3 and Combined Science PAG B2: Sampling techniques. WJEC GCSE Double Award Science and Biology Subject content from: 1.6 Ecosystems, nutrient cycles and human impact on the environment. 4.1/2.1 Classification and biodiversity. Specified practical work: Investigation into factors affecting the distribution and abundance of a species

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