Processes in an Ecosystem PROCESSES in an ECOSYSTEM Food chains and food webs

Feeding relationships- the movement of food energy in an ecosystem # Food Chains A food chain is the order of who gives energy to whom in a biological community (an ecosystem) to obtain nutrition. A food chain always starts with an producer (an organism that performs photosynthesis) producers are then eaten by consumers herbivores, omnivores, & decomposers

Interactions in an ecosystem # Competition- when two populations compete for the same – Biotic factors (niche – job or food source) – Abiotic factors (water)

Gives energy to Producer herbivore Omnivore/carnivore carnivore Decomposer Gives Energy to Provides nutrients

Feeding relationships # Food Webs network of many food chains organisms in an ecosystem are linked by what gives them energy Food chain 1 energy path Food Web –interconnected energy paths in an ecosystem /science/ecologyandbehavior/ foodchains/

PRODUCERS - use energy from sun to perform photosynthesis -provides the basic energy for the entire ecosystem # huge populations PRIMARY CONSUMER – usually a herbivore but can be an omnivore that eats plants SECONDARY CONSUMER – an omnivore or carnivore TERTIARY CONSUMER – a carnivore QUARTNARY CONSUMER- a carnivore- DECOMPOSERS – fit into all levels It depends on what they are breaking down: Tropic Levels

nergypyramid