Science Vocabulary Ecosystems

Ecosystem A place where plants and animals live together and depend on one another Examples: Atlantic Ocean New Jersey Pine Barrens Barnegat Bay

Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean separates North and South America from Europe and Africa. back

New Jersey Pine Barrens The Pine Barrens is found in the southern part of New Jersey. back

Barnegat Bay The Barnegat Bay is a fragile aquatic ecosystem along the coast of New Jersey. back

Food web A diagram that scientists use to show how energy is passed in an ecosystem. It shows all living things and what they eat.

Food chain This diagram shows one animal in an ecosystem and what it eats.

Consumers Consumers are living things that need to eat to get their energy. There are 3 types of consumers: Herbivore Carnivore Omnivore

Herbivore A herbivore is an animal that eats only plants. back

Carnivore A carnivore is an animal that eats only meat. back

Omnivore An omnivore is a living thing that eats both plants and animals. back

Producers Producers are living things that do not have to eat. They make their food inside their bodies. Plants are producers. They make their own food using energy from the sun.

Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is the process a plant uses to make its own food. There are 4 things needed for photosynthesis to occur: Chlorophyll Carbon dioxide Water Sun

Decomposer A decomposer is a living thing that helps to break down dead plant or animal matter. This adds nutrients to the soil.

Predator A predator is an animal that hunts other animals for food.

Prey A prey is an animal that is hunted by another animal for food.