Biology II Ecology · Energy Transfer Through Ecosystems
Virginia SOL EC.3
Virginia SOL EC.3 is part of the Energy Transfer Through Ecosystems strand in Biology II Ecology (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students investigate how energy is transferred through ecosystems and the role of thermodynamics. Below is what EC.3 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice EC.3 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL EC.3 means
Investigate how energy is transferred through ecosystems and the role of thermodynamics.
Skills you’ll practice for EC.3
- Explain how the laws of thermodynamics govern energy transfers through ecosystems.
- Explain how changes in ecosystem factors affect energy transfer and ecological efficiency in a local ecosystem.
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim about how strategies organisms use to acquire energy lead to biodiversity within ecosystems.
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim about how nutrient cycling by decomposers affects energy transfer in ecosystems.
Key concepts covered by EC.3
- thermodynamics laws
- energy transfer
- ecosystem energy flow
- energy conservation
- ecosystem factor changes
- ecological efficiency
- local ecosystem analysis
- energy acquisition strategies
- biodiversity claim
- organism adaptation
- ecosystem diversity
- nutrient cycling
- decomposer role
- ecosystem claim evaluation
How to study and practice SOL EC.3
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether EC.3 is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.
Frequently asked questions about SOL EC.3
What is Virginia SOL EC.3?
SOL EC.3 is a Biology II Ecology Standard of Learning in the Energy Transfer Through Ecosystems strand. It expects students to investigate how energy is transferred through ecosystems and the role of thermodynamics.
What skills does SOL EC.3 cover?
SOL EC.3 is assessed on 4 skills: explain how the laws of thermodynamics govern energy transfers through ecosystems; explain how changes in ecosystem factors affect energy transfer and ecological efficiency in a local ecosystem; make, support, and evaluate a claim about how strategies organisms use to acquire energy lead to biodiversity within ecosystems; make, support, and evaluate a claim about how nutrient cycling by decomposers affects energy transfer in ecosystems.
What strand of Biology II Ecology is SOL EC.3 in?
SOL EC.3 belongs to the Energy Transfer Through Ecosystems reporting strand of the Biology II Ecology Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL EC.3?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether EC.3 is already solid, then work the 4 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.