Life & Living

Biodiversity, classification, interactions in ecosystems

Biodiversity

Biodiversity means the variety of living things on Earth. South Africa is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with unique biomes such as the fynbos, savanna and Karoo. Living organisms are classified into groups based on shared characteristics.

Classification of Living Things

Scientists classify organisms into five kingdoms: • Animals (Animalia) — multicellular, cannot make own food • Plants (Plantae) — multicellular, make food through photosynthesis • Fungi — feed on dead matter (e.g. mushrooms, mould) • Protists — mostly single-celled (e.g. amoeba) • Bacteria — microscopic single-celled organisms

Example

Ecosystems in South Africa

The Kruger National Park ecosystem: • Producers: grasses, acacia trees • Primary consumers (herbivores): impala, zebra, elephant • Secondary consumers (carnivores): lion, leopard • Decomposers: fungi, bacteria Energy flows from the sun → producers → consumers → decomposers.

Note

Key Concept

Every organism has a role in its ecosystem. If one species is removed, it affects the whole food web. This is why conservation — protecting biodiversity — is so important in South Africa.

Key Vocabulary

BiodiversityThe variety of living organisms in an area

EcosystemA community of living things interacting with their environment

ClassificationSorting organisms into groups based on features

SpeciesA group of organisms that can breed together

Food webA network of interconnected food chains

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Biodiversity

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