Biology A-Level
ecosystem
What ecosystem means in Biology A-Level, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of ecosystem
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain ecosystem in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: OCR
A community of organisms interacting with each other and with their non-living environment.
A community and the non-living components of its environment together form this.
Topics that use ecosystem
- Populations in ecosystems (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- Ecosystems (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- abiotic factors
- abiotic components
- belt transect
- biomass
- Biotic factors
- Colonisation of bare ground
- community
- competitive exclusion
Using ecosystem in the exam
Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.
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