1. The Cycling of Matter & Energy

2. Let’s Start with the Big Picture: Biome Biomes Shown here are arctic tundra, savannah, and mountain biomes A geographical region that has characteristic climate, plant, and animal life There can be many ecosystems within a biome!

3. Community of interacting organisms within a biome living in BalanceBalance Ecosystems Each organism plays a role in their ecosystem to maintain balance

4. Organisms Individual living things Animals Plants Eubacteria Archae Protists Fungi All organisms live in balance in ecosystems Food web within an ecosystem

5. Living organisms in ecosystems are called biotic components Grouped as: ProducersConsumersDecomposers Make their own food Eat other organisms for food Break down dead material AutotrophsHeterotrophsDetritivores

6. Producers make their own food through by converting sunlight energy into carbohydrates which give energy to consumers Photosynthesis Producers

7. There are three types of consumers: Primary Consumers Herbivore-eats only plants (producers) Secondary Consumers-carnivore that eats primary consumers or omnivore that eats a combination of primary consumers and producers Tertiary Consumers eats only secondary consumers-the topmost carnivore in an ecosystem

8. Classify these Critters Squirrels Lions Rabbits Foxes Coyotes Trees Sheep Zebras Deer Green Algae Primary Consumers Producers Secondary Consumers Bobcats Gophers Insects Cows Owls Grass Tigers Pigs Flowers Mice Cyanobacteria* Humans* Tertiary Consumers Are they all easy? Do some fit in multiple categories?

9. Energy Flow in Ecosystems Primary Consumers eat Producers for nutrients and energy Solar Energy from the Sun Producers photosynthesize to make carbohydrates Secondary Consumers eat Primary Consumers for nutrients and energy Decomposers recycle dead organic waste (biomass) Energy Transfer Tertiary Consumers eat Secondary Consumers for nutrients and energy

10. Energy Cycling

11. Energy Flow within an Ecosystem Sun Producers Primary Consumer Secondary/Tertiary Consumer Decomposers Heat Chemical Energy Solar Energy Organic Waste Heat

12. Decomposition/Decay Decomposers are usually put at the bottom of a food web, but they are very important because they cycle biomass. Decomposers consume dead plants & animals (biomass) to recycle them back to nutrients for producers

13. Biomass Biomass is organic matter left behind when organisms die or as a byproduct of some industries. Decomposers cycle biomass back into the food web by converting this organic matter into carbon dioxide and nutrients. Energy is released in the form of heat during this process. Biomass is also considered a renewable energy source!

14. Nutrients that decomposers recycle back into the soil: Water Carbon Nitrogen Phosphorus These are essential to all life but are only present in finite amounts throughout the world hence the need for cycling of nutrients in ecosystems

15. Decomposers: Bacteria -Unicellular organisms -Can break down just about any type of organic matter -Live on land, air and sea -1 gram of soil (about a paperclip’s weight) contains 40 million (40,000,000) bacterial cells!

16. Decomposers: Fungi -Are not plants -Does include molds -Fungi release enzymes to decompose decaying material -Fungi grow on hyphae: unseen strands beneath the surface of the material they are decomposing

17. Fungi in action! Mold growth over a decaying peach Life of Fungi &

18. Earthworms Earthworms act as scavengers Earthworms breathe through their skin They do not have eyes but do have light & touch sensitive organs Earthworms are hermaphroditic which means they have both male and female organs Decomposers :

19. Composting Controlled Decomposition – in your backyard! Humus Mature compost ready to deliver the nutrients from decomposed materials back to producers.

20. Composting requires a mixture of – 1. Browns – carbon source 2. Greens – nitrogen source 3. Water leaves, branches grass, food scraps 4. Air

21. Worms are nature’s ultimate recyclers! Worm composing or vermiculture is just like composting, only red worms do the decomposing. Red worms can eat their weight in organic matter every day. They leave behind casings or casts that are rich in nutrients. worms

22. Why Compost? Think of different reasons that the composting cycle is important to YOU!

23. Why Compost? Turn dead organic waste (biomass), like dead leaves and table scraps, into a healthy, natural fertilizer for your gardens and lawns. The humus can replenish nutrients in the soil. Results: Higher crop yields Enrich soil Cleaner soil & air Suppress plant diseases Reduce waste without a landfill!

24. The Big Picture: Cycle of Matter Organic Waste DecomposersCompost Replenish Soil Cycling of Nutrients