Food Chains
A food chain tells us what is eaten by what in an ecosystem.
What is an ecosystem? An ecosystem is all the animals and the plants in a habitat, together with their environment. An ecosystem provides everything that the animals and plants that live there need. A rock pool is an ecosystem, and so is a forest or a lake.
What is happening in this food chain? The insect is eaten by the frog.
What is eaten by the insect?
Many insects feed on nectar which they gather from flowers.
What might the frog be eaten by?
What does this food chain show? The plant is eaten by the slug. The slug is eaten by the frog. The frog is eaten by the heron.
The arrow means “is eaten by”. The insect is eaten by the frog.
Can you show a different food chain?
This is a beach food chain Can you describe what is happening?
Who can show another food chain?
What did each food chain begin with?
Yes! Almost every food chain starts with a green plant.
Plants are called PRODUCERS They produce (make) their own food and provide food for animals
Animals are called CONSUMERS They consume (eat) other animals or plants
Animals that hunt and eat other animals are called PREDATOR S
Animals that are hunted and eaten by other animals are called their PREY
Can you name some predators?
Can you name some animals that are prey?
Some animals can be predators and prey. Can you name any? (Clue: The first slide showed one.)
Energy flow Each animal in the food chain eats another animal or a plant in order to gain energy. The energy flow in the ecosystem keeps all of the animals alive.
What people do Sometimes, humans cause problems for the plants and animals in an ecosystem. Oil spills pollute the sea and beaches. Forests are cut down to make way for roads, and so that land is available for cattle to graze.
What happens to the other animals and plants in a food chain if one or more members of the chain are removed?
Match the words and phrases. A food chain shows Most food chains start with Plants are Animals are Animals that hunt and eat others are called Animals that are caught and eaten are called producers consumers predators prey a green plant what is eaten by what
Excellent!