ecology ecosystem abiotic biotic population habitat producer photosynthesis autotroph consumer cellular respiration heterotroph primary consumer secondary consumer tertiary consumer carnivore herbivore omnivore detritivore scavenger decomposer trophic level food chain food web pyramid of energy Pyramid of biomass

Abiotic (non-living) - physical environment Ecology - study of the interactions of organisms with each other and their environment. Scientists called ecologists study small areas of Earth called ecosystems. An Ecosystem is made of 2 groups of things: Abiotic (non-living) - physical environment (water, sunlight, oxygen, soil, nutrients and temperature) Biotic (living) - living organisms (plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria)

Ecosystems contain populations of many different organisms. Each population has a place where it lives – called its habitat.

Energy Flow ecosystem matter cycle input energy (solar energy) energy lost (heat energy) ecosystem

Organisms that "make" food like this are also called Autotrophs. All living things require energy to live - the source of that energy is the sun. Producers (plants) use the sun’s energy to make organic compounds (food), this process is called photosynthesis: CO2 + H2O + O2 sugar C6H12O6 Organisms that "make" food like this are also called Autotrophs.

Consumers cannot make food, they must eat. Breaking down food to release the stored energy for use is called cellular respiration: C6H12O6 + O2 CO2 + H2O sugar Organisms that use cellular respiration to get energy are called Heterotrophs.

Food Chains and Food Webs

Secondary consumers feed on primary consumers, Primary consumers (herbivores) feed directly on producers. (moose, cattle, grasshoppers, rabbits) Secondary consumers feed on primary consumers, Tertiary consumers feed on secondary consumers. High-level consumers are usually carnivores Omnivores feed on both producers and consumers. (meat-eaters)

Food chain – shows the relationship of feeding and energy transfer in organisms of an ecosystem. Many food chains become connected in a complex relationship known as a food web.

Each step in a food chain is known as a trophic level. 1st trophic level producer 3rd trophic level secondary consumer primary consumer tertiary consumer 2nd trophic level 4th trophic level Each step in a food chain is known as a trophic level.

Cycling of Matter nutrients decomposing bodies molecules bacteria

Scavengers - carnivores that feed on dead animals. Detritivore - eats dead plant and animal remains and convert them into substances that can be reused. They are the recyclers of the ecosystem. There are two types: Scavengers - carnivores that feed on dead animals. (vultures, hyenas, seagulls and ravens) Decomposers - Bacteria and fungi (mushrooms, mold)

Ecological Pyramids

Pyramid of biomass - shows the total amount (mass) of living material at each trophic level.

Only 10% of the energy received from food is stored in the body – 90% is used to run your organs. Pyramid of energy - the total amount of energy at each level in an ecosystem.

ecology ecosystem abiotic biotic population habitat producer photosynthesis autotroph consumer cellular respiration heterotroph primary consumer secondary consumer tertiary consumer carnivore herbivore omnivore detritivore scavenger decomposer trophic level food chain food web pyramid of energy Pyramid of biomass