1. Notes Energy Flow in an Ecosystem

2. Initial Energy Source Sunlight is the main energy source for life on Earth!

3. Ecological Roles Producers: – Make their own food from sunlight energy or chemical energy – Base of energy for a system

4. Ecological Roles Producers: – Photoautotrophs: Use sunlight to make energy/food Photosynthesis – Chemoautotrophs: Use chemical reactions to make energy/food Chemosynthesis

5. Ecological Roles Consumers: – Heterotrophs: Acquire energy and food from other organisms – Types of heterotrophs Herbivores: eat only plants Carnivores: eat only other animals Omnivores: eat both plants and animals Scavengers: eat dead organisms (not the same as decomposers!)

6. Ecological Roles Decomposers: – Break down organic matter – Release energy and nutrient back into the system – Bacteria + fungi

7. Feeding Relationships Energy flow pathway: Sun/chemicals Autotrophs (producers) Heterotrophs (consumers)

8. Food Chain Series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

9. Food Web Complex feeding relationships in an ecosystem.

10. Trophic Levels Each step in a food chain or web Begins with producers 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th and higher levels are made up of consumers

11. Energy Pyramid Limited energy as you move along a food chain. Only 10% of energy from one level is transferred to the next level. The other 90% is used by the organisms for growth, development, and activity.

13. Energy Pyramid Draw and label the triangle! 3°3° 2°2° 1°1°