Monitoring and maintaining the environment (B6.1) | OCR GCSE Biology A (Gateway Science) — Foundation (J247) | KnowledgeSet

Monitoring and maintaining the environment

Biology (Separate Science) · GCSE · OCR · OCR GCSE Biology A (Gateway Science) — Foundation (J247) · Specification point · B6.1 · Global challenges

Next Steps

Read Notes

Read clear notes for this topic.

Practice Questions

Coming soon

Exam Questions

Coming soon

Flashcards

Flip through flashcards to lock it in.

Lesson

Coming soon

Ask Sage

Get help from Sage on this topic.

B6.1 Monitoring and maintaining the environment

Summary Living organisms interact with each other, the environment and with humans in many different ways. If the variety of life is to be maintained we must actively manage our interactions with the environment. We must monitor our environment, collecting and interpreting information about the natural world, to identify patterns and relate possible cause and effect. Underlying knowledge and understanding From their study in topic B4, learners should be familiar with ecosystems and the various ways organisms interact. They should understand how biotic and abiotic factors influence communities. Learners should be familiar with the gases of the atmosphere from Key Stage 3. Common misconceptions It is important that in the study of this topic learners are given opportunities to explore both positive and negative human interactions within ecosystems.

Reference	Mathematical learning outcomes	Mathematical skills
$BM6.1i$	$calculate arithmetic means$	$M2b$
$BM6.1ii$

Learning outcomes	To include	Maths	Working scientifically	Practical suggestions
$B6.1a explain how to carry out a field investigation into the distribution and abundance of organisms in a habitat and how to determine their numbers in a given area$	$sampling techniques (random and transects, capture-recapture), use of quadrats, pooters, nets, keys and scaling up methods$	$M2c, M2d, M3a$	$WS1.2d, WS1.2b, WS1.2c, WS1.2e, WS1.3h, WS2a, WS2b, WS2c, WS2d$	$Investigation of ecological sampling methods. Using the symbols =, <, <<,, >, ?, ~ in answers where appropriate. (PAG B1, PAG B3) Investigation of sampling using a suitable model (e.g. measuring the red sweets in a mixed selection).$
$B6.1b describe both positive and negative human interactions within ecosystems and explain their impact on biodiversity$	$the conservation of individual species and selected habitats and threats from land use and hunting$		$WS2a, WS2b, WS2c, WS2d$	$Investigation into the effectiveness of germination in different strengths of acid rain. (PAG B3, PAG B6) Investigation into the effects of lichen distribution against pollution. (PAG B3)$
$B6.1c explain some of the benefits and challenges of maintaining local and global biodiversity$	$the difficulty in gaining agreements for and the monitoring of conservation schemes along with the benefits of ecotourism$