How does Energy Flow through a Beach Ecosystem?

Autotrophs Heterotrophs Organisms that can make their own food using the sun’s energy (photosynthesis) Heterotrophs Organisms that rely on external energy sources (eat plants/animals)

Food Chains

Producers (autotrophs) Organisms that make their own food using the sun’s energy (Photosynthesis)

Algae Seagrass Phytoplankton Examples: (Plants) Algae Seagrass Phytoplankton

Primary Consumers The 1st level of heterotrophs that get their energy by eating producers

Examples: (Herbivores) Blue Tang Green Sea Turtle Manatee Sea Urchin

Secondary Consumers The 2nd level of heterotrophs that get their energy by eating primary consumers

Examples: (Carnivores) Butterfly fish Dolphins Most larger fish Most Sea turtles

Top Predator (tertiary consumer) Organisms that get their energy by eating other consumers

Some sharks Some whales Humans Examples: Some sharks Some whales Humans

Other Consumers Scavengers Decomposers eat what is left of producers and consumers (ex. crabs & snails) Decomposers - break down dead plants and animals, as well as waste (ex. bacteria)

Top Predator Secondary Consumer Primary Consumer R Producer

The trophic pyramid has an ecological efficiency of 10% - only 10% of the energy from one level transfers to the next (90% is lost to entropy – heat!)

Food Web Shows that organisms often have different choices of prey; represents the flow of energy through consumption in nature.

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