Year Eleven Explore Ecosystems

Find out about what Year Eleven Biologists have learnt about local environments through their Biology summer project. Their brief was to study an ecosystem of their choice and link it to their biological studies. 

Florence J.-

Over the summer, the Biology department set a project of studying an ecosystem and evaluating it. At first glance it seemed like any other piece of summer work I’d have to do, but what I didn’t realise was that it would really connect me to the diversity and beauty of nature in my local area.

I decided on a cemetery- perhaps not the most picturesque of places. But, discovering the vast numbers of different species of plants and animals living there helped me to understand ecology and the environment in a different way to the theory we had covered in lessons. Observing carefully and studying the plants you walk by every day, and the bugs that you’d normally squish without a second thought opened my eyes to the beauty and complexity of the natural world around my home. For example, I learned about feeding relationships between animals, unravelling the reasons why the streets surrounding my house are infested with pigeons, and why those pigeons have made friends with a dozen or so squirrels that are too curious for their own good.  I also learned how the London climate impacts the types of plants growing and why I couldn’t find any wind pollinated flowers (we don’t have much wind).

This project helped me to better appreciate the natural world right on my doorstep, and to understand how important it is to protect the plants and insects and animals that make up our environment.

Tilly B.-

I did my ecology project on the Brancaster Estate. I found it really interesting to discover so much about the plants that I had never taken interest in! It really taught me to appreciate green spaces as there’s so much we can learn about (and from) plants if we just take the time to do some research.

Bianca P-M.-

The ecosystem I researched was my grandpa’s garden in Italy. I’ve spent countless hours of my life in this garden/allotment running around olive trees and grape vines. It was for this reason that I chose to study and respond to this particular ecosystem; I knew it very well.

It was in observing it closely that I realised just how interdependent everything was. From the chickens that controlled the insect populations to the bats which eat mosquitoes which, if they escape then also succeed in eating us, alive. My grandpa managed to cultivate not only crops but food chains and webs in his plot of land. He not only manages a relatively biodiverse ecosystem but ensures that his produce is grown without pesticides. The chickens, bats and birds prey on the pests; simple netting keeping said birds from finding a second course among the tomatoes. I now think there is a lot to learn about how we can provide habitats and produce crops sustainably. Providing safe havens and safety in our consumption.