1. Energy Flow Through an Ecosystem
copyright cmassengale

2. Nearly all of Earth’s energy begins with the sun!
Sunlight is necessary for organisms to produce their own energy.
copyright cmassengale

3. copyright cmassengale
Organisms that make their own energy (glucose) during photosynthesis are called PRODUCERS. Plants are producers
copyright cmassengale

4. Photosynthesis
The process by which plants (producers) make food is called "photosynthesis".
"photo" = light "synthesis" = putting together
This happens to EVERY plant, and to some bacteria and algae, too.  Without photosynthesis, plants wouldn't exist

5. What do plants need for photosynthesis to occur?
ENERGY is stored in glucose
BrainPoP Photosynthesis

7. Respiration
A process in which plants, animals, and humans take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
Plants- Take in oxygen through the stoma and use it to get the energy they need to burn food.
Humans and animals- Take in oxygen to help them burn digested food and get energy.

8. copyright cmassengale
CELLULAR RESPIRATION Chemical reaction that converts glucose and oxygen into usable energy that allows organisms to perform the necessary life processes.
6O2 + C6H12O6   6H2O + 6CO2 + energy
It’s a cycle! The O2—CO2 cycle or photosynthesis/ respiration cycle. Video
copyright cmassengale

9. Interactions Within Ecosystems

10. Ecology—the scientific study of interactions between different organisms their environment

11. An ecologist would study organisms that live in an ecosystem
An ecologist would study organisms that live in an ecosystem. Ecosystems are a network of living and non-living things that interact. The size of the ecosystem depends on the shared similarities between living and non-living things—can be small or very large.

12. Biotic—living factors that influence an ecosystem
Abiotic—non-living factors that influence an ecosystem

13. Who makes up an ecosystem?
Organisms within an ecosystem are classified into:
Individuals—singular organisms
Populations—all the individuals that belong to one species in a habitat
Communities—all the combined populations in a habitat

14. Ecological Niche – an organism’s role in an ecosystem
Ecological Niche – an organism’s role in an ecosystem. This includes its: place in the food web, habitat (home), breeding area, etc.
Within ecosystems, each organism has its own specific niche. No two species fulfill exactly the same role.

15. Example: The ecological niche of a sunflower growing in a backyard includes: absorbing light, water and nutrients (for photosynthesis), providing shelter and food for other organisms (e.g. bees, ants, etc.), and giving off oxygen into the atmosphere.

16. If a new, exotic species is introduced into an ecosystem, it will have to compete with any species that is already fulfilling the same niche the new species would. Eventually, one of the two species will be out-competed and cannot survive in the ecosystem. During this process, the entire ecosystem will be disrupted.

17. Limiting Factors are…
Environmental conditions that may prevent populations from reaching their biotic potential. This means that the ecosystem could sustain more members if the limiting factor was not there.
Limiting factors may be biotic or abiotic

18. Limiting Factors cont…
ABIOTIC FACTORS
too much or too little light
temperature too cold or too warm
harmful chemicals in the environment
BIOTIC FACTORS
insufficient food
excessive predators
diseases or parasites
diminished ability to compete with other species

19. Terrestrial Ecosystems
Terrestrial ecosystems are limited by four major abiotic factors:
Soil
Available Water
Temperature
Sunlight

20. Carrying Capacity
Is the maximum number of individuals of a single species that can be supported in an ecosystem at a particular time. This is determined by the availability of food, presence of predators, disease and other resources. If a population exceeds the carrying capacity, there will be a decline in number until the population re-stabilizes.

21. Aquatic Ecosystems
These ecosystems are affected by three major abiotic factors:
chemical environment (level of dissolved oxygen)
light levels (this is the most important abiotic factor)
Water temperature

22. Relationships within an Ecosystem

23. Consumers eat producers to get energy…
Organisms that cannot make their own energy are called CONSUMERS.
Consumers eat producers to get energy…
copyright cmassengale

24. Consumers that eat other dead consumers are called scavengers
copyright cmassengale

25. All dead and decaying matter at each level is broken down by decomposers such as bacteria and fungi. The recycling of raw materials and nutrients back into the soil after decomposition—a process call biodegradation, is vital to all ecosystems.

26. copyright cmassengale
The transfer of energy from the sun to producer to primary consumer then to higher order consumers can be shown in a FOOD CHAIN Brainpop Food Chains
copyright cmassengale

27. copyright cmassengale
Food Webs:
Are interconnected food chains
They show the feeding relationships in an ecosystem
copyright cmassengale

28. Identify the Producers, Consumers, & Decomposers:
Count the Food Chains!
copyright cmassengale