Energy Flow in Ecosystems August 22, 2017 Energy Flow in Ecosystems Warm-Up: Think of the word “producer.” Write down what you think it means. What about consumer? Agenda: Warm-Up Energy Roles It’s your Niche! Measure Chia Pets

Energy Roles An organism’s energy role is determined by how it obtains energy and how it interacts with other organisms. Each of the organisms in an ecosystem fills the energy role of producer, consumer, or decomposer.

Niche A niche is the role or “job” of an organism or species in its environment. What would be a bee’s niche?

Producers Energy enters most ecosystems as sunlight. Some organisms, such as plants, algae, and some bacteria, capture the energy of sunlight and store it as food energy. (Through photosynthesis) An organism that can make its own food is a producer. Energy is transferred to

Consumers Some members of an ecosystem cannot make their own food. An organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms is a consumer.

Consumers Consumers are classified (grouped) by what they eat. Herbivores Carnivores Omnivores Scavengers

Consumers - Herbivores Consumers that eat only plants are herbivores. Examples: caterpillars and deer

Consumers - Carnivores Consumers that eat only animals are carnivores. Examples: Lions and spiders

Consumers - Omnivores Consumers that eat both plants and animals are omnivores. Crows, bears, and most humans are omnivores.

Consumers - Scavengers Some carnivores are scavengers. A scavenger is a carnivore that feeds on the bodies of dead organisms. Examples: catfish and vultures http://www.fisheriesmanagement.co.uk/catfish/catfish_introduction.htm

Decomposers Decomposers break down wastes and dead organisms and return the raw materials to the ecosystem. You can think of decomposers as nature’s recyclers. Mushrooms and bacteria are common decomposers.

Energy Flow In Ecosystems Important Questions Energy Flow In Ecosystems Give an example of a producer. Give an example of a consumer. What are the 4 kinds of consumers? Give an example of a decomposer. What do food chains show? What does a food chain always begin with? What’s the difference between a food chain and a food web? What does an energy pyramid show? Summary

It’s your Niche! Choose any organism you would like. Identify that organism’s niche! Design a business card for your organism and it’s niche. Your card MUST include: *Name of organism *Company Name *Job Title *Address and Phone Number *Slogan *Illustration

Energy Flow in Ecosystems August 24, 2017 Energy Flow in Ecosystems Warm-Up: What is a habitat? How does a habitat meet the needs of organisms? Agenda: Warm-Up Measure Chia Pets Journal Article Food Webs and Energy Flow

Measure Chia Pets DATE 8/15/17 Qualitative Quantitative Group A ---Control (Ms. Thomas) Group B ---- Extra Light (Kaylor)

Journal Article Must write the full required amount to get credit. The article must be about the assigned topic. The article you find must be newer than 2013.

Food Chains and Food Webs Energy enters most ecosystems as sunlight and is converted into food molecules by producers. This energy is transferred to each organism that eats a producer, and then to other organisms that feed on these consumers. The movement of energy through an ecosystem can be shown in diagrams called food chains and food webs.

Food Chains Every living thing needs energy in order to live. Every time animals do something (run, jump) they use energy to do so. Energy is necessary for living beings to live and grow. Animals get energy from the food they eat, and all living things get energy from food. Plants use sunlight, water and nutrients to get energy (photosynthesis).

Food Chains A food chain shows how each living thing gets food, and how nutrients and energy are passed from creature to creature. Food chains begin with plant-life, and end with animal-life. Some animals eat plants, some animals eat other animals. http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/foodchain/decomposers.htm

There is actually even more to this chain. After a hawk dies, fungi (like mushrooms) and other decomposers break down the dead hawk, and turn the remains of the hawk into nutrients, which are released into the soil. The nutrients (plus sun and water) then cause the grass to grow. It's a full circle of life and energy!!

A Typical Food Chain ON THE BACK OF YOUR PAPER: Draw your own food chain with FOUR organisms.

Food Webs A food web consists of the many overlapping food chains in an ecosystem. A food web is more realistic accurate than a food chain.

Which is more stable? A food web is more stable than a food chain.

A Typical Food Web Comprised of several food chains

Energy Pyramids An energy pyramid shows the amount of energy that moves from one feeding level to another in a food web. Where is the most energy available? Why does less energy become available at each level?

How the numbers work in an Energy Pyramid Only 10% of the available energy moves to the next trophic level. ***Most of the energy is lost as heat.

Complete the Food Webs Activity Sheet! You may work with a partner.

WARM UP 8/18/2016 1. Take out your scissors, colored pencils, and glue! 2. Discuss food webs with your neighbor. What do you remember about yesterday’s discussion?

Food Web Diagramming Color according to key: Producers(autotrophs) GREEN Herbivores (primary consumers) BLUE Omnivores and carnivores (secondary consumers) RED Carnivores (tertiary consumers) PURPLE Scavengers ORANGE Decomposers BROWN Energy Source YELLOW 2. Use scissors to cut pictures out. 3. Sort pictures according to energy roles 4. Construct a food web using 12 of the cutouts.

Try These… Pick an ecosystem (any one you want), and list as many abiotic and biotic factors as you can. Draw a food web within that ecosystem that includes at least four trophic levels and six different organisms. Label the levels and energy roles of each organism. If there is 10,000kcal of energy available at the producer level, how many kcal would be available to an apex predator? Remove one organism from your food web and explain the effect that this would have on the rest of the organisms.