Flow of Energy and Matter . Flow of Energy and Matter

Ecological Pyramids TEKS: Readiness: 12C analyze the flow of matter and energy through trophic levels using various models, including food chains, food webs, and ecological pyramids Ecological Pyramids

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Ecological Pyramids Describe what happens to most of the energy an organism consumes: Answer on your handout Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Energy Transferred & Lost Each time energy is transferred, some is lost making less available at the next feeding level. Organisms use much of their energy to carry out life functions.

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Ecological Pyramids Only about 10 percent of the energy available within one trophic level is transferred to organisms at the next trophic level. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

What happens to energy? An organism uses some the energy for its : own growth and survival Cellular processes Reproduction 90% is lost as heat Why does the top carnivore eat more than any other organism?

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Ecological Pyramids Ecological Pyramids diagram that shows the relative amounts of energy or matter contained within each trophic level in a food chain or food web. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Ecological Pyramids Ecologists recognize three different types of ecological pyramids: energy pyramids biomass pyramids pyramids of numbers Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Ecological Pyramids 0.1% Third-level consumers Energy Pyramid: Shows the relative amount of energy available at each trophic level. Only part of the energy that is stored in one trophic level is passed on to the next level. 1% Second-level consumers 10% First-level consumers Ecological pyramids show the decreasing amounts of energy, living tissue, or number of organisms at successive feeding levels. The pyramid is divided into sections that represent each trophic level. Because each trophic level harvests only about one tenth of the energy from the level below, it can support only about one tenth the amount of living tissue. 100% Producers Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Ecological Pyramids Biomass Pyramid: Represents the amount of living organic matter at each trophic level. Typically, the greatest biomass is at the base of the pyramid. 50 grams of human tissue 500 grams of chicken 5000 grams of grass Ecological pyramids show the decreasing amounts of energy, living tissue, or number of organisms at successive feeding levels. The pyramid is divided into sections that represent each trophic level. Because each trophic level harvests only about one tenth of the energy from the level below, it can support only about one tenth the amount of living tissue. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Ecological Pyramids Pyramid of Numbers: Shows the relative number of individual organisms at each trophic level. Ecological pyramids show the decreasing amounts of energy, living tissue, or number of organisms at successive feeding levels. The pyramid is divided into sections that represent each trophic level. Because each trophic level harvests only about one tenth of the energy from the level below, it can support only about one tenth the amount of living tissue. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall 3–2 In a biomass pyramid, the base of the pyramid represents the mass of heterotrophs. primary consumers. producers. top level carnivores. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall 3–2 The amount of energy represented in each trophic level of consumers in an energy pyramid is about 10% of the level below it. 90% of the level below it. 10% more than the level below it. 90% more than the level below it. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

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