Flow of Energy in Ecosystems

What is the primary source of energy for all life on Earth? Producers-Organisms who make their own food. Producers use most of the energy they make. Primary source of energy is the sun

Energy that is not used can be passed on to consumers Consumers CANNOT make their own food. Primary consumer- eats producer Secondary consumer- eats primary consumer Tertiary consumer- eats secondary consumer Detritivores-worms and insects on stream bottoms Decomposers- bacteria and fungi- release nutrients to environment through digestive enzymes

Herbivore- eats plants Carnivore- eats animals Omnivore- Eats plants and animals Predator- hunt and kill other consumers Prey- animals that are hunted and killed Scavenger- eat dead consumers Heterotroph and Autotroph

Ecological Pyramids

Energy Pyramid Energy available at each trophic level is represented Only 10% of energy from is passed from one trophic level to the next. Available energy decreases

Biomass Pyramid Biomass- the total mass of living matter at each trophic level Available biomass decreases

Numbers Pyramid Population size decreases