1. Food Chains
Decomposers

2. Let’s Review!

3. Components of a Food Chain
PRODUCERS
SUN
3. CONSUMERS
4. DECOMPOSER

4. Herbivores are plant-eating consumers
Types of Consumers
Herbivores are plant-eating consumers

5. Carnivores are meat-eating consumers
Types of Consumers
Carnivores are meat-eating consumers

6. Omnivores are consumers that eat both plants and animals.
Types of Consumers
Omnivores are consumers that eat both plants and animals.

7. Types of Consumers
Scavengers are consumers that eat dead plants or dead animals (carrion)

8. *Levels of Consumers Primary (1°) Consumers = “first eaters”
Secondary (2°) Consumers = “second eaters”
Tertiary (3°) Consumers = “third eaters”

9. Quaternary 4° Consumer
Tertiary 3°Consumer
Secondary 2°Consumer
Primary 1°Consumer

10. Decomposers

11. Decomposers
Decomposers are organisms that break down the cells of dead material and recycle the nutrients back into the ecosystem

12. Decomposers
Eventually all food chains end in decomposers e.g.-mushrooms, molds, yeast, bacteria

13. Conditions that Promote Decomposers
Warmth
Lots of air
Lots of food
Moisture (water)
Darkness

14. What is the difference between Scavengers and Decomposers?
Scavengers eat dead material that they find (they have mouths).
E.g. Vulture
Decomposers “break down” the cells of dead material. E.g. Mold