Content Standard 4.2 Organisms cooperate and compete in ecosystems

Ecosystems include all the interacting parts of the environment in an area.

Interactions in ecosystems - 5 min

A niche is the sum total of an organism's use of biotic and abiotic resources in the environment, how it "fits into" an ecosystem.

A number of different animals can live in the same biome because each occupies its own special space, or niche.

Species cannot coexist in a community if their niches are identical.

After years of searching Walter finally found his niche.

Habitat The physical area in which an organism lives.

Niche The way of life of an organism.

PreyPredator Predator's predator

PreyPredator Predator's predator Refers to the relationship between a predator and prey.

PreyPredator Predator's predator In other words, one organism using another for food.

Predation - 9 min

Carnivores Herbivores Omnivores eat only meat eat only plants eat plants and meat

Food Chain: The specific sequence in which organisms obtain energy within an ecosystem.

Primary Consumers Also called herbivores, eat only plants.

Secondary Consumers Also called carnivores, eat only animals.

Tertiary Consumers eat secondary consumers.

Interrelated food chains within an ecosystem.

Why don't humans eat carnivores?

Kingfisher Trout Insect Larvae Algae

Kingfisher Trout Insect Larvae Algae Indicates the trophic levels within an ecosystem

Kingfisher Trout Insect Larvae Algae Trophic is a word associated with energy.

Kingfisher Trout Insect Larvae Algae

Kingfisher Trout Insect Larvae Algae All producers are able to make their own food through photosynthesis.

Kingfisher Trout Insect Larvae Algae Food stored by producers is ALL the food energy available in the food chain.

Kingfisher Trout Insect Larvae Algae

Kingfisher Trout Insect Larvae Algae Primary consumers feed on producers.

Kingfisher Trout Insect Larvae Algae Primary consumers use 90% of their food energy to stay alive.

Kingfisher Trout Insect Larvae Algae

Kingfisher Trout Insect Larvae Algae Secondary consumers feed on primary consumers

Kingfisher Trout Insect Larvae Algae

Kingfisher Trout Insect Larvae Algae Only 10% of the energy in one trophic level is available as food for the next higher level.

Algae ALL food chains, food webs, and food pyramids begin with producers.

A normal food pyramid looks like this.

Give me an example of how the pyramid could look like this.

Allows an organism to blend with the environment.

A prey animal looks like a dangerous, or bad tasting, animal.

Which one is poisonous?

Scarlet Kingsnake Coral Snake Red on black is friend of Jack. Red on yellow will kill a fellow.

Symbiosis is a close association between two dissimilar organisms.

Symbiosis - 7 min

One organism benefits (parasite), the other is harmed (host).

One organism benefits, the other neither benefits or is harmed.

Both organisms benefit equally.

Mutualism is common in nature.