1. Intro to ECOSYSTEMS
You will be able to comprehend how ecosystems are structured and why they are structured in a specific manner

2. What is the Ecology?

3. What is Ecology?

4. What is Ecology

5. The Trophic Pyramid
Understanding how energy is transferred between organisms in an Ecosystem

6. What is an Ecosystem?
Ecosystem- the interaction between organisms and their environment
Niche – Organism’s “job” in the Environment
Biome- the specific habitat organisms live in

7. What makes Ecosystems work?
Ecosystems dependent on the transfer of energy from one organism to another
Energy Transfer leads to specific food relationships, which is represented by specific levels on the Pyramid
As energy is transferred however, efficiency goes down: Only 10% of the initial energy available as you go up each level of the pyramid.

8. Where does Energy come from?
Sun is the ultimate source of energy for most Ecosystems. (not the deep sea however)
Sunlight is converted to food energy through process known as photosynthesis
Plants convert light energy into food energy, hence they are called the Primary Producers
Primary Producers are the FOUNDATION of the Pyramid; without them ecosystem fails

9. Construction of the Pyramid
Primary Producers/Autotrophs- Make their own food; Placed at base of Pyramid
Primary Comsumers: (next level up)
Herbivores- Organisms that eat the Primary Producers
Scavengers- organisms that eat dead or decaying items

10. Construction of the Pyramid
Secondary Consumers- small Carnivores and omnivores
Carnivores- smallest carnivores go in this level, these are organisms that eat primarily tissue of other animals. They can not digest plant materials
Omnivores- organisms that eat both plant and animal matter

11. Construction of the Pyramid
Tertiary Consumers-
Medium sized Carnivores
Top Level APEX PREDATOR-
Largest Carnivore(s) in the ecosystem.

12. Balancing the Ecosystem
How the energy is transferred throughout the food chain determines the numbers of organisms that can exist in an ecosystem
Approximately only 10 % of the energy taken in by an organism is transferred to the next organism
90% of the energy is lost due to the organism using the energy to grow, maintain its health, and eliminated waste
The impact of this shows on the levels of the pyramid; organisms number go down by a power of 10 as you move up in the levels in the pyramid

13. Trophic Pyramid Example Fresh Water
Snapping Turtle (10)
Largemouth Bass (10), Trout (10)
Minnow (80), Dragonfly (90),
Bullfrog (20)
Mussel (100), Mosquito (700),
Crayfish (60)
Algae (5000), Lilly Pad
(5000)