How does Energy Flow within an ecosystem?

Pass out Blocks

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

Seagrass Phytoplankton Examples: (Plants) Seagrass Phytoplankton

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

Examples: (Herbivores) Blue Tang Green Sea Turtle Manatee

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 & Fungi)

Top Predator Secondary Consumer Primary Consumer R Producer

Questions: List 3 terms that can be used to describe: A tree A cow A human A lion Do organisms always stay in one level? Why or why not?

Biomass - The total mass of living matter at each trophic level Decreases with each level because there are less organisms and therefore less energy available.

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 normal body processes (hunting, mating, etc.)