B7 Ecology - L2 Interdependence and Competition

Exam Board: AQA Combined Science Trilogy
Topic: B7 Ecology — Lesson 2

Overview
This lesson introduces interdependence, food webs, and competition within ecosystems, building directly from Lesson 1’s focus on communities and food chains. Students explore how population changes affect ecosystem stability and practise applying ecological concepts to exam-style scenarios.

Key Content Covered
• Interdependence & food webs
• Stable communities & ecosystem balance
• Competition (animals + plants) and limited resources
• Real case study — Yellowstone wolves
• Linked prior knowledge retrieval (niche, decomposers, energy transfer)

Lesson Features
• Do Now retrieval & MWB checks
• Guided modelling using food webs
• Exam-style extended responses (4-mark ecology Q)
• Literacy and key vocabulary focus
• Cross-links to B4 and B6 specification content

Specification Links

Aligned with AQA Combined Science B7:
• Interdependence & trophic interactions
• Competition for limited resources
• Ecosystem stability & population change

Ideal For

• GCSE teaching (Higher & Foundation)
• Revision and intervention
• Cover-ready delivery