Ch 22-1 Energy Roles

In every ecosystem, each organism has a role in the movement of energy. producer, consumer, or decomposer. ◊An organism’s energy role in an ecosystem may be that of producer, consumer, or decomposer. oEnergy first enters ecosystems as sunlight. Certain organisms are able to capture this energy and transform in into food. producer, consumer, or decomposer. ◊An organism’s energy role in an ecosystem may be that of producer, consumer, or decomposer. oEnergy first enters ecosystems as sunlight. Certain organisms are able to capture this energy and transform in into food.

ProducersProducers autotrophs. ◊Producers capture the sun’s energy and use it to make food. This makes them autotrophs. ◊Producers ◊Producers are the direct source of all food (energy) in an ecosystem. autotrophs. ◊Producers capture the sun’s energy and use it to make food. This makes them autotrophs. ◊Producers ◊Producers are the direct source of all food (energy) in an ecosystem.

Consumers Consumers ◊Consumers cannot make their own food so they get it (and their energy) from eating other organisms. This makes them heterotrophs. ◊There are four types of consumer, classified by what they eat. They are: ◊Consumers cannot make their own food so they get it (and their energy) from eating other organisms. This makes them heterotrophs. ◊There are four types of consumer, classified by what they eat. They are:

Consumers (cont.) Consumers (cont.) ◊Herbivores: eat plants (deer, bunnies) ◊Carnivores: eat other animals (cats, wolves) ◊Omnivores: eat both meat and plants (humans) ◊Scavengers: eat dead organisms (vultures, hyenas) ◊Herbivores: eat plants (deer, bunnies) ◊Carnivores: eat other animals (cats, wolves) ◊Omnivores: eat both meat and plants (humans) ◊Scavengers: eat dead organisms (vultures, hyenas)

Consumers (cont.) ◊Consumers are also classified as being primary, second, or third level consumers. ◊Primary(1st) level consumers are herbivores. They eat producers (mouse). ◊Second level consumers can be either carnivores or omnivores and eat first level consumers (snake) ◊Third level consumers are also either carnivores or omnivores and eat second level consumers (hawk) ◊* sometimes the same organisms may be at different levels. ◊Consumers are also classified as being primary, second, or third level consumers. ◊Primary(1st) level consumers are herbivores. They eat producers (mouse). ◊Second level consumers can be either carnivores or omnivores and eat first level consumers (snake) ◊Third level consumers are also either carnivores or omnivores and eat second level consumers (hawk) ◊* sometimes the same organisms may be at different levels.

Decomposers Decomposers ◊Decomposers are organisms that break down wastes and dead organisms and return the raw materials to the environment. ◊Bacteria and Fungi are good examples of decomposers ◊Decomposers are organisms that break down wastes and dead organisms and return the raw materials to the environment. ◊Bacteria and Fungi are good examples of decomposers

Food Chains Food chain is a series of events in which one organism eats another and obtains energy. ◊A Food chain is a series of events in which one organism eats another and obtains energy. ◊It begins with a producer which “fixes” solar energy into food that it produces. ◊This energy is transferred as a consumer eats the producer, then transferred again as another consumer eats the first consumer grassmouse ◊Example: grass--->mouse---->owl Food chain is a series of events in which one organism eats another and obtains energy. ◊A Food chain is a series of events in which one organism eats another and obtains energy. ◊It begins with a producer which “fixes” solar energy into food that it produces. ◊This energy is transferred as a consumer eats the producer, then transferred again as another consumer eats the first consumer grassmouse ◊Example: grass--->mouse---->owl

Food Chains

Food Chains (continued)

Food Chains (cont.)

And one more Food Chain…

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

Food Webs (continued)

Food Webs cont. Food Webs cont.

One last Food Web

Energy Pyramid ◊An Energy Pyramid shows the amount of energy that moves from one feeding level to another in a food web. ◊The producer level has the most energy. ◊As energy is transferred from level to level most is lost; only 10% is passed on. ◊A◊A◊A◊An Energy Pyramid shows the amount of energy that moves from one feeding level to another in a food web. ◊T◊T◊T◊The producer level has the most energy. ◊A◊A◊A◊As energy is transferred from level to level most is lost; only 10% is passed on.

Energy Pyramid