Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Energy Flow In Ecosystems Important Questions Energy Flow In Ecosystems Give an example of a producer. Give an example of a consumer. What are the 4 kinds of consumers? Give an example of a decomposer. What do food chains show? What does a food chain always begin with? What’s the difference between a food chain and a food web? What does an energy pyramid show? Summary

Energy Roles An organism’s energy role is determined by how it obtains energy and how it interacts with other organisms. Each of the organisms in an ecosystem fills the energy role of producer, consumer, or decomposer.

Producers Energy enters most ecosystems as sunlight. Some organisms, such as plants, algae, and some bacteria, capture the energy of sunlight and store it as food energy. (Through photosynthesis) An organism that can make its own food is a producer. Energy is transferred to

Energy Flow In Ecosystems plants, algae, and some bacteria Important Questions Energy Flow In Ecosystems Give an example of a producer. plants, algae, and some bacteria Give an example of a consumer. What are the 4 kinds of consumers? Give an example of a decomposer. What do food chains show? What does a food chain always begin with? What’s the difference between a food chain and a food web? What does an energy pyramid show? Summary

Consumers Some members of an ecosystem cannot make their own food. An organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms is a consumer.

Important Questions Energy Flow In Ecosystems Give an example of a producer. plants, algae, and some bacteria Give an example of a consumer. Any organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms (Wolf, Bird, People etc.) What are the 4 kinds of consumers? Give an example of a decomposer. What do food chains show? What does a food chain always begin with? What’s the difference between a food chain and a food web? What does an energy pyramid show? Summary

Consumers Consumers are classified (grouped) by what they eat. Herbivores Carnivores Omnivores Scavengers

Herbivores Carnivores Omnivores Scavengers Important Questions Energy Flow In Ecosystems Give an example of a producer. plants, algae, and some bacteria Give an example of a consumer. Any organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms (Wolf, Bird, People etc.) What are the 4 kinds of consumers? Herbivores Carnivores Omnivores Scavengers Give an example of a decomposer. What do food chains show? What does a food chain always begin with? What’s the difference between a food chain and a food web? What does an energy pyramid show? Summary

Consumers - Herbivores Consumers that eat only plants are herbivores. Examples: caterpillars and deer

Consumers - Carnivores Consumers that eat only animals are carnivores. Examples: Lions and spiders

Consumers - Omnivores Consumers that eat both plants and animals are omnivores. Crows, bears, and most humans are omnivores.

Animal Diet Game http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/games/animaldietgame.htm

Consumers - Scavengers Some carnivores are scavengers. A scavenger is a carnivore that feeds on the bodies of dead organisms. Examples: catfish and vultures http://www.fisheriesmanagement.co.uk/catfish/catfish_introduction.htm

Decomposers Decomposers break down wastes and dead organisms and return the raw materials to the ecosystem. You can think of decomposers as nature’s recyclers. Mushrooms and bacteria are common decomposers.

Mushrooms and bacteria Important Questions Energy Flow In Ecosystems Give an example of a producer. plants, algae, and some bacteria Give an example of a consumer. Any organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms (Wolf, Bird, People etc.) What are the 4 kinds of consumers? Herbivores Carnivores Omnivores Scavengers Give an example of a decomposer. Mushrooms and bacteria What do food chains show? What does a food chain always begin with? What’s the difference between a food chain and a food web? What does an energy pyramid show? Summary

Food Chains and Food Webs Energy enters most ecosystems as sunlight and is converted into food molecules by producers. This energy is transferred to each organism that eats a producer, and then to other organisms that feed on these consumers. The movement of energy through an ecosystem can be shown in diagrams called food chains and food webs.

Food Chains Every living thing needs energy in order to live. Every time animals do something (run, jump) they use energy to do so. Energy is necessary for living beings to live and grow. Animals get energy from the food they eat, and all living things get energy from food. Plants use sunlight, water and nutrients to get energy (photosynthesis).

Food Chains A food chain shows how each living thing gets food, and how nutrients and energy are passed from creature to creature. Food chains begin with plant-life, and end with animal-life. Some animals eat plants, some animals eat other animals. http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/foodchain/decomposers.htm

There is actually even more to this chain. After a hawk dies, fungi (like mushrooms) and other decomposers break down the dead hawk, and turn the remains of the hawk into nutrients, which are released into the soil. The nutrients (plus sun and water) then cause the grass to grow. It's a full circle of life and energy!!

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A producer Important Questions Energy Flow In Ecosystems Give an example of a producer. plants, algae, and some bacteria Give an example of a consumer. Any organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms (Wolf, Bird, People etc.) What are the 4 kinds of consumers? Herbivores Carnivores Omnivores Scavengers Give an example of a decomposer. Mushrooms and bacteria What do food chains show? The show how each living thing gets food, and how nutrients and energy are passed from creature to creature. What does a food chain always begin with? A producer What’s the difference between a food chain and a food web? What does an energy pyramid show? Summary

Food Webs A food web consists of the many overlapping food chains in an ecosystem.

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Energy Flow In Ecosystems Important Questions Energy Flow In Ecosystems Give an example of a producer. plants, algae, and some bacteria Give an example of a consumer. Any organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms (Wolf, Bird, People etc.) What are the 4 kinds of consumers? Herbivores Carnivores Omnivores Scavengers Give an example of a decomposer. Mushrooms and bacteria What do food chains show? The show how each living thing gets food, and how nutrients and energy are passed from creature to creature. What does a food chain always begin with? A producer What’s the difference between a food chain and a food web? A food chain shows only one path of energy. A food web shows the many paths energy can travel through an ecosystem. What does an energy pyramid show? Summary

Energy Pyramids An energy pyramid shows the amount of energy that moves from one feeding level to another in a food web. Where is the most energy available? Why does less energy become available at each level?

Energy Flow In Ecosystems Important Questions Energy Flow In Ecosystems Give an example of a producer. plants, algae, and some bacteria Give an example of a consumer. Any organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms (Wolf, Bird, People etc.) What are the 4 kinds of consumers? Herbivores Carnivores Omnivores Scavengers Give an example of a decomposer. Mushrooms and bacteria What do food chains show? The show how each living thing gets food, and how nutrients and energy are passed from creature to creature. What does a food chain always begin with? A producer What’s the difference between a food chain and a food web? A food chain shows only one path of energy. A food web shows the many paths energy can travel through an ecosystem. What does an energy pyramid show? shows the amount of energy that moves from one feeding level to another in a food web. Summary

Biology The Science of Life Forward to food chains and food webs. (7:39-14)