Ecosystem Components Producers – Basis of an ecosystem’s energy – Autotrophs: perform photosynthesis to make sugars – Chemotrophs: Bacteria which use minerals from deep-sea vents to make energy Consumers – Heterotrophs: Consumes others for energy – Omnivores, herbivores, carnivores, decomposers, detritivores – Generalists, specialists

Biomass is a measure of the total dry mass of organisms in a given area. tertiary consumers secondary consumers primary consumers producers 75 g/m2 150g/m2 675g/m2 2000g/m2 producers 2000g/m2 o We use a biomass pyramid to display this.

energy transferred energy lost An energy pyramid shows the distribution of energy among trophic levels. Energy pyramids compare energy used by producers and other organisms on trophic levels. Between each tier of an energy pyramid, up to 90 percent of the energy is lost into the atmosphere as heat. Only 10 percent of the energy at each tier is transferred from one trophic level to the next.

Defined: Feeding level of an ecosystem Trophic levels consist of producers, consumers, and decomposers ~10% of energy is passed to the next level – Few trophic levels

Defined: Organisms that create their energy through photosynthesis – AKA: Autotrophs Convert sunlight into glucose (sugar) Bottom of food chain (1 st trophic level) Ex: Plants, Algae, Cyanobacteria

Defined: Organisms that feed on producers 2 nd trophic level Herbivores (eat plants)

Defined: Organisms that feed on 1° consumers 3 rd trophic level Carnivores (eat meat) & Omnivores (eat meat & plants)

Defined: Organisms that feed on 2°2° consumers 4 th trophic level Carnivores and omnivores

Detritivores: Feed on dead matter Decomposers: break down dead matter into simpler substances Returns nutrients to the soil

Name the tropic levels in this food pyramid

Defined: model that shows a sequence of feeding relationships. A food chain links species by their feeding relationships. A food chain follows the connection between one producer and a single chain of consumers within an ecosystem. DESERT COTTONTAILGRAMA GRASSHARRIS’S HAWK

Defined: Group of interrelated food chains Arrows show direction energy (nutrients) travel Analysis Trace 2 food chains from this food web. What could happen if we removed the Grasshopper?

producer Primary consumer Secondary consumer Tertiary consumer

producer Primary consumer Secondary consumer Tertiary consumer Quaternary consumer