Life Science · Ecosystem Matter and Energy
Virginia SOL LS.5
Virginia SOL LS.5 is part of the Ecosystem Matter and Energy strand in Life Science (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students investigate and understand how biotic and abiotic factors affect ecosystems. Below is what LS.5 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice LS.5 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL LS.5 means
Investigate and understand how biotic and abiotic factors affect ecosystems.
Skills you’ll practice for LS.5
- Describe how matter moves through ecosystems via the carbon, water, and nitrogen cycles.
- Use food webs and energy pyramids to represent energy flow in ecosystems.
- Describe relationships among producers, consumers, and decomposers.
Key concepts covered by LS.5
- carbon cycle
- water cycle
- nitrogen cycle
- matter cycling
- ecosystems
- food webs
- energy pyramids
- trophic levels
- energy flow
- producers
- consumers
- decomposers
- energy transfer
How to study and practice SOL LS.5
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether LS.5 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 LS.5
What is Virginia SOL LS.5?
SOL LS.5 is a Life Science Standard of Learning in the Ecosystem Matter and Energy strand. It expects students to investigate and understand how biotic and abiotic factors affect ecosystems.
What skills does SOL LS.5 cover?
SOL LS.5 is assessed on 3 skills: describe how matter moves through ecosystems via the carbon, water, and nitrogen cycles; use food webs and energy pyramids to represent energy flow in ecosystems; describe relationships among producers, consumers, and decomposers.
What strand of Life Science is SOL LS.5 in?
SOL LS.5 belongs to the Ecosystem Matter and Energy reporting strand of the Life Science Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL LS.5?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether LS.5 is already solid, then work the 3 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.