1. Most ecosystems rely on a supply of energy from sunlight.
Energy released from carbon compounds by respiration is used in living organisms and converted to heat. (Which can not be converted to another form of energy by living organisms)

2. Light energy is converted to chemical energy in carbon compounds by photosynthesis.
Chemical energy in carbon compounds flows through food chains/webs by feeding.

3. Energy losses between trophic levels restrict the length of food chains and the biomass of higher trophic levels.

4. Skill: Quantitative representation of energy flow using pyramids of energy.
Produce a pyramid of energy using the following information:
The total solar energy received by a grassland is 5 x 105 kJ m-2 y-1.
2. The net production of the grassland is 5 x 102 kJ m-2 y-1 and
its gross production is 6 x 102 kJ m-2 y-1.
3. If only 10% of the total energy is passed to each trophic level, construct a three tiered energy pyramid for this ecosystem.

5. Skill: Quantitative representation of energy flow using pyramids of energy.
Produce a pyramid of energy using the following information:
The total solar energy received by a grassland is 5 x 105 kJ m-2 y-1.
2. The gross production of the grassland is 5 x 105 kJ m-2 y-1 and its net production is 6 x 102 kJ m-2 y-1.
3. If only 10% of the total energy is passed to each trophic level, construct a three tiered energy pyramid for this ecosystem.
6 x 102 kJ m-2 y-1

6. Skill: Quantitative representation of energy flow using pyramids of energy.
Produce a pyramid of energy using the following information:
The total solar energy received by a grassland is 5 x 105 kJ m-2 y-1.
2. The net production of the grassland is 5 x 102 kJ m-2 y-1 and
its gross production is 6 x 102 kJ m-2 y-1.
3. If only 10% of the total energy is passed to each trophic level, construct a three tiered energy pyramid for this ecosystem.
60 kJ m-2 y-1
6 x 102 kJ m-2 y-1

7. Skill: Quantitative representation of energy flow using pyramids of energy.
Produce a pyramid of energy using the following information:
The total solar energy received by a grassland is 5 x 105 kJ m-2 y-1.
2. The net production of the grassland is 5 x 102 kJ m-2 y-1 and
its gross production is 6 x 102 kJ m-2 y-1.
3. If only 10% of the total energy is passed to each trophic level, construct a three tiered energy pyramid for this ecosystem.
Secondary Consumers
6 kJm-2 y-1
60 kJ m-2 y-1
Primary Consumers
6 x 102 kJ m-2 y-1
Producers
This begins to highlight the problem with our diet, and how many tertiary and quaternary consumers we eat. What limits the size of energy pyramids?

8. Heat is lost in ecosystems, as are biomass and number of organisms as you go up the food chain.

9. First Step – Do research using the following terms “Ecocolumn”, “Sealed Mesocosm”, “Biology In a Bottle” to get ideas. Sketch out a plan for how you want to construct your Ecosystem. Remember the nutrients that need to be cycled through the ecosystems!
Second Step – Gather the materials for construction of your mesocosm. If you would like any fish or small invertebrates to live in your ecosystem, you need to provide them. I have the following : Gravel, Water Plants, Water, Soil, Netting, Bottles, Tape, Scissors, Terrestrial Plants
Third Step – Implement your design! Set up the mesocosm in a sink (in case it leaks), and observe the variable you decided to measure each week!