Ecology
This ecology hub helps learners move from the basics of ecosystems to the bigger questions of energy flow, population change, and habitat health. You’ll see how producers, consumers, and decomposers fit together, why biodiversity matters, and how human activity can reshape ecological systems. It also connects ecology to evolution by showing how adaptations help organisms survive in changing environments.
Learning Path
Science: Ecology and Biodiversity
Build a foundation in ecosystems, species interactions, and why biodiversity is essential for resilience.
Open →Food Chain & Food Web Builder
Map energy flow through an ecosystem and compare simple food chains with more complex food webs.
Open →Food Web Energy Pyramid Lab
Investigate how energy moves through trophic levels and why only a fraction reaches each step.
Open →Core Ecology Ideas to Remember
Keep these big ideas in view as you study ecosystems and environmental change.
- Ecosystems depend on interactions among living organisms and nonliving factors such as water, soil, light, and climate.
- Energy moves through ecosystems from producers to consumers and decomposers, with losses at each trophic level.
- Biodiversity, population size, and habitat quality all influence how stable and resilient an ecosystem is.
More Resources
Tools
Labs
Worksheets
Cheat Sheets
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Explainers
Common Questions
What is ecology in biology?
Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and with their environment, including energy flow, populations, habitats, and ecosystems.
Why is biodiversity important in ecology?
Biodiversity helps ecosystems stay productive and resilient. When there are many species with different roles, ecosystems are often better able to recover from disturbance.