Biomass Biomass is an organic material made from plants and animals living or formerly living in a given area. Biomass contains stored energy from the sun.

Biomass Plants absorb the sun’s energy in the process of photosynthesis. (radiant energy converted to chemical energy) The chemical energy in plants gets passed to animals and people that eat them.

Biomass Living things store energy chemically After organisms die, the energy remains stored in the chemicals of which they composed.

Biomass In the environment are bacteria and other decomposers that break down material in the biomass.

Biomass Large molecules are broken down into smaller molecules. As matter is broken down, energy is released in the form of heat.

Compost Heap A compost heap is a pile of compost, organic matter such as leaves and grass clippings Compost pile with grass clippings and chopped leaves

Compost Heap

Vocabulary for composting Decay: to break down into component parts, to rot Decomposition: the breakdown of organic matter from larger to smaller molecules Organic: of, or related to, or derived from living organisms

10% Rule it means only ten percent of energy consumed is available to the next trophic level