1. Food Chains

2. A food chain tells us what is eaten by what in an ecosystem.

3. What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is all the animals and the plants in a habitat, together with their environment.
An ecosystem provides everything that the animals and plants that live there need.
A rock pool is an ecosystem, and so is a forest or a lake.

4. What is happening in this food chain?
The insect is eaten by the frog.

5. What is eaten by the insect?

6. Many insects feed on nectar which they gather from flowers.

7. What might the frog be eaten by?

8. What does this food chain show?
The plant is eaten by the slug.
The slug is eaten by the frog.
The frog is eaten by the heron.

9. The arrow means “is eaten by”.
The insect is eaten by the frog.

10. Can you show a different food chain?

11. This is a beach food chain Can you describe what is happening?

12. Who can show another food chain?

13. What did each food chain begin with?

14. Yes!
Almost every food chain starts with a green plant.

15. Plants are called
PRODUCERS
They produce (make) their own food and provide food for animals

16. Animals are called
CONSUMERS
They consume (eat) other animals or plants

17. Animals that hunt and eat other animals are called
PREDATORS

18. Animals that are hunted and eaten by other animals are called their
PREY

19. Can you name some predators?

20. Can you name some animals that are prey?

21. Some animals can be predators and prey. Can you name any
Some animals can be predators and prey. Can you name any? (Clue: The first slide showed one.)

22. Energy flow
Each animal in the food chain eats another animal or a plant in order to gain energy.
The energy flow in the ecosystem keeps all of the animals alive.

23. What people do
Sometimes, humans cause problems for the plants and animals in an ecosystem.
Oil spills pollute the sea and beaches.
Forests are cut down to make way for roads, and so that land is available for cattle to graze.

24. What happens to the other animals and plants in a food chain if one or more members of the chain are removed?

25. Match the words and phrases.
A food chain shows
producers
Most food chains start with
what is eaten by what
Plants are
predators
Animals are
prey
Animals that hunt and eat others are called
consumers
Animals that are caught and eaten are called
a green plant

26. Excellent!