Unit 5: The Cycling of Matter & Energy

Community of interacting organisms within a biome living in BalanceBalance Ecosystems Each organism plays a role in their ecosystem to maintain balance

Organisms Individual living things Animals Plants Bacteria Fungi All organisms live in balance in ecosystems Food web within an ecosystem

Living organisms in ecosystems are called biotic Grouped as: ProducersConsumersDecomposers Make their own food Eat other organisms for food Break down dead material

Producers make their own food through by converting sunlight energy into carbohydrates which give energy to consumers Photosynthesis Producers

There are three types of consumers: Primary Consumers Herbivore-eats only plants (producers) Secondary Consumers-carnivore that eats primary consumers or omnivore that eats a combination of primary consumers and producers Tertiary Consumers eats only secondary consumers-the topmost carnivore in an ecosystem

Squirrels Lions Rabbits Foxes Coyotes Trees Sheep Zebras Deer Green Algae Bobcats Gophers Insects Cows Owls Grass Tigers Pigs Flowers Mice Cyanobacteria* Humans* 1. Producers 2. Primary Consumers 3. Secondary Consumers 4. Tertiary Consumers 5. Quaternary Consumers 4. Herbivores 5. Carnivores 6. Omnivores Classify these Critters

Energy Flow in Ecosystems Primary Consumers eat Producers for nutrients and energy Solar Energy from the Sun Producers photosynthesize to make carbohydrates Secondary Consumers eat Primary Consumers for nutrients and energy Decomposers recycle dead organic waste (biomass) Energy Transfer Tertiary Consumers eat Secondary Consumers for nutrients and energy

Energy Flow within an Ecosystem Sun Producers Primary Consumer Secondary/Tertiary Consumer Decomposers Heat Chemical Energy Solar Energy Organic Waste Heat

Energy Cycling

Decomposers: Fungi -Are not plants -Does include molds -Fungi release enzymes to decompose decaying material -Fungi grow on hyphae: unseen strands beneath the surface of the material they are decomposing

Fungi in action! Mold growth over a decaying peach Life of Fungi &

Decomposers: Bacteria -Unicellular organisms -Can break down just about any type of organic matter -Live on land, air and sea -1 gram of soil (about a paperclip’s weight) contains 40 million (40,000,000) bacterial cells!

What would happen if there were no decomposers?

We need Decomposers!

Biomass Biomass is organic matter left behind when organisms die or as a byproduct of some industries. Decomposers cycle biomass back into the food web by converting this organic matter into carbon dioxide and nutrients. Energy is released in the form of heat during this process. Biomass is also considered a renewable energy source!

When we eat food, we change the chemical energy from plants into mechanical energy and thermal energy. + Decomposers only generate thermal energy – HEAT!

Nutrients that decomposers recycle back into the soil: Water Carbon Nitrogen Phosphorus These are essential to all life but are only present in finite amounts throughout the world hence the need for cycling of nutrients in ecosystems

Phosphorus Cycle

Composting Controlled Decomposition – in your backyard! Humus Mature compost ready to deliver the nutrients from decomposed materials back to producers.

Earthworms Earthworms act as scavengers Earthworms breathe through their skin They do not have eyes but do have light & touch sensitive organs Earthworms are hermaphroditic which means they have both male and female organs Decomposers :

Composting requires a mixture of – 1. Browns – carbon source 2. Greens – nitrogen source 3. Water leaves, branches grass, food scraps 4. Air

Why Compost? Think of different reasons that the composting cycle is important to YOU!

Why Compost? Turn dead organic waste (biomass), like dead leaves and table scraps, into a healthy, natural fertilizer for your gardens and lawns. The humus can replenish nutrients in the soil. Results: Higher crop yields Enrich soil Cleaner soil & air Suppress plant diseases Reduce waste without a landfill!

The Big Picture: Cycle of Matter Organic Waste DecomposersCompost Replenish Soil Cycling of Nutrients