Revision

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Ecosystems: Change and Challenge

Ecosystems and Change: Course Outline Make sure you have a copy of this outline and check that you have revised every section on it.

Paper Three Advice

  • Do not start answering any question until you have first read through all of the options carefully and decided exactly which question you are doing.
  • Do have a strategy..know which order are you going to do the questions in.
  • STRUCTURED QUESTIONS: Give 40 mins to each of the structured questions
    • COMMENT QUESTION; Really look at the resource provided to check you have seen everything…Read the title and any key carefully
    • THEORY QUESTION: Use appropriate geographical terminology and show you fully understand the underlying concepts
    • TEN MARK QUESTION: Plan the structure of the ten mark questions carefully as this will get you extra credit. Base your answer around points, use specific facts and figures as evidence and avoid waffling / repetition
  • ESSAY:
    • Use a mind map to pull together relevent ideas to include in the essay.
    • Then plan the structure of your answer making sure that each paragraph is clearly linked to the question.
    • Aim to be writing the essay for at least 1 hour

Useful Information


Revision websites

Be careful as these are general (not just for our AQA syllabus)
S-Cool Geography A Level Revision; Ecosystems

Revision Notes

Ecosystems and Change: Revision Summary Notes THESE NOTES ARE ESSENTIAL: Please print out in colour if possible and check through.

Case Study Summaries


Possible topics include:-

Ecosystem processes: Nutrient Cycle, Soil Moisture Budget
Plant Succession: One example of a succession in UK, identify sub-climax communities, plagioclimax
Invasive Species (Planned...acacia.. and unplanned)
Biomes: Be able to define and compare different aspects (including NPP) of the different biomes (whittaker_climate_and_vegetation_diagram.jpg)
Temperate Deciduous Forests (.be able to name species & decsribe/explain the structure of this ecosystem)
Ecosystem Services: See Geographical Review Article and Earth debate: Ecosystem Economics (Green Economy)
Biodiversity:Biodiversity Summary and Biodiversity Value in Borneo Likely Topic
Threats to Tropical Biomes/Ecosystems: see your summary tables (know specific facts and figures)
Management Strategies: Management Strategies Summary Table and case study summaries (above). Be able to evaluate one fragile environment in detail or compare strategies)
Urban ecosystems (use Rimba/JIS ...cleared heath forest/ acacia / JIS car park using native species like Gaharu...for Rural/Urban Fringe)

Check your school email for final advice!!!!

Question practice

Look at the questions from "Get the Grade' (handed out in class).
Use the answers provided as a guide..but also think how you can add in more information/different examples from your own revision
(many students have seen these answers and you don't want to look like a photocopy machine)

It is also highly recommended that you try:



...and remember to look over all past tests / exam questions on ecosystems..