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Year 10 - Geography

The interdependence of biotic and abiotic components in cold environments

Cold environments

Unit Summary

This unit teaches pupils about the location, characterisitics, opprtunities and challenges associated with one global environment, either hot deserts or cold environments. Pupils will also learn about plant and animal adaptation and about issues facing their chosen environment.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how biotic and abiotic components in a cold environment such as soil, climate, animals, plants and people are interdependent.

Key Notes

  • Cold environment ecosystems exhibit interdependence of climate, water, soils, plants, animals and people.
  • Food chains and food webs show how biotic and abiotic components are interdependent in a cold environment.
  • Nutrient cycles show how biotic and abiotic components are interdependent in a cold environment.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • biotic: the living elements of an ecosystem (e.g. plants, animals)
  • abiotic: the non-living elements of an ecosystem (e.g. water, nutrients)
  • interdependence: the connections between different components of the environment, where each component depends on or influences the others
  • evapotranspiration: the transfer of water to the atmosphere through evaporation from surfaces and transpiration from plants

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Soil is a biotic component of ecosystems because it contains living organisms.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.

Cold environment ecosystems exhibit interdependence of climate, water, soils, plants, animals and people. Food chains and food webs show how biotic and abiotic components are interdependent in a cold environment.

2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'biotic'

the living elements of an ecosystem (e.g. plants, animals).

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: Soil is a biotic component of ecosystems because it contains living organisms. Correction: Soil is classed as an abiotic component because soil itself is non-living.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 10 Geography guide library.