The main source of energy for life on Earth comes from the Sun. Plants use light energy from the sun to make food.

PRODUCER? CONSUMER? DECOMPOSER?

Organisms that use the sun’s energy for making their own food are called producers. Algae, grass, trees, and vegetables are all producers.

Animals including humans, which get energy by eating other organisms, are called consumers. There are four different kinds of consumers in an ecosystem:

1. HERBIVORES ~ plant eaters 2. CARNIVORES ~ meat eaters 3. OMNIVORES ~ eats plants and meats 4. DECOMPOSERS ~ feeds on waste and on dead, decaying plants and animals

Organisms that use waste materials and dead organisms for food. They decay or break down materials and put the nutrients back into the environment. Bacteria and fungi (mushrooms) are the most important decomposers.

PRODUCERS: grass, dandelion, clover, leaves, algae CONSUMERS: mouse, rabbit, caterpillar, tadpoles, king snake, frog, Blue Heron, hawk, bobcat, raccoon, alligator, mosquito DECOMPOSERS: mushroom, bacteria, earthworm

The passing of energy in the form of food from one living thing to another creates a food chain. Food chains always start with a producer. That producer is eaten by a consumer, which may be eaten by another consumer. LET’S CREATE OUR OWN FOOD CHAIN.

SUN GRASS GRASSHOPPER FROG SNAKE HAWK