Ecosystems

Forest Ecosystem Ocean Ecosystem Desert Ecosystem

How is an organism’s energy role determined in an ecosystem?

Ecosystems – Energy RolesThe Producers:

Get energy by making their own food - photosynthesis

Examples are plants, algae and plankton.

Ecosystems – Energy RolesThe Consumers:

Organisms that get their energy from eating food.

Ecosystems – Energy Roles

The Decomposers:Organisms that get energy by breaking

down dead organisms.Examples are bacteria and fungi.

Energy in an EcosystemWhat is the source of all energy in an ecosystem?

Photosynthesis – using sunlight as energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into food.

6H2O + 6CO2 ----------> C6H12O6+ 6O2

Ecosystems – Energy RolesThree types of consumers

Herbivores – eat only plants

Carnivores – eat only other animals (meat eaters)

Omnivores – eat plants and other animals

Ecosystems – Energy RolesScavenger:

Carnivores that feed on dead organisms.

Ecosystems – Energy Roles Difference between scavenger and decomposer?

Food Chains: Shows a specific series of feeding events in an ecosystem.

Every feeding moves energy through an ecosystem.

The Producers are always at the bottom.

Arrows can be replaced by the phrase “is eaten by..”

Second level consumer

Third levelconsumer

First level consumer

producer

Food Webs Many overlapping food chains Show feeding relationships for the whole

ecosystem.

Food Chain Food Web

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Food webs

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What does an energy pyramid show?

The amount of energy that moves from one feeding level to another.

How does the amount of energy at one level of an energy pyramid compare to the amount of energy available at the next level up?

Dec

reas

ing

en

erg

y

There is more energy at the lower levels. As you move up energy is lost

Energy Pyramids

Dec

reas

ing

en

erg

y 10% of energy is transferred

90% of energy is lost

Energy not transferred is used by the organism or lost as heat.

Energy Flows and matter is Cycled in an ecosystem

Energy is supplied by the sun.

Energy is lost as it flows through the ecosystem.

Basic elements (matter) is continuously recycled through an ecosystem.