An ecosystem is a system consisting of biotic and abiotic components that function together as a unit. The biotic components include all the living things whereas the abiotic components are the non-living things. Thus, an ecosystem science definition entails an ecological community consisting of different populations of organisms that live together in a particular habitat. Natural sciences like ecology and geography define an ecosystem as a geographic area where organisms, weather, and landscape, work together to form a “bubble of life”.
National Geographic Society. (2011, August 15). Ecosystem. National Geographic Society. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/ecosystem/
In this unit, you have been learning about ecosystems, food webs and food chains, and environmental and human factors that impact ecosystems. Your task requires you to undertake independent research to investigate either the Simpson Desert, the Daintree Rainforest or the Antarctic Peninsula.
In addition to the resources on this page, consider how you can find more information. A great place to start is to identify keywords in the assessment task sheet and use databases as well as search engines to locate further resources.
The Conversation is an excellent resource for research assignments. The Conversation Australia and New Zealand is a unique collaboration between academics and journalists that in just 10 years has become the world’s leading publisher of research-based news and analysis.
It has a dedicated "topic" for research-based news articles.
Links from Task Sheet:
Antarctic Peninsula
http://polardiscovery.whoi.edu/antarctica/ecosystem.html
https://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/antarctica%20environmenty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_Peninsula#Flora_and_fauna
https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/antarctica/mawson/climate
Links from Task Sheet:
https://www.discoverthedaintree.com/daintree-rainforest-6/
https://www.jcu.edu.au/daintree/discover
Search for 'New Scientist' magazine - searchable Australian Edition available!
