1. Ecosystems and Food Webs
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
Ecosystems and Food Webs
How do Aquatic Invasive Species affect our lakes?

2. A food chain illustrates the movement of energy in an ecosystem.
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County

3. A food web is a diagram of a complex, interacting set of food chains within an ecosystem
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County

4. Parts of a Food Chain Sun Plants Primary consumers Secondary consumers
Decomposers
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County

5. This aquatic food pyramid illustrates energy transfer and relative biomass in an aquatic ecosystem.
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County

6. In an aquatic nutrient cycle, energy and vital elements (nutrients) transfer through trophic levels.
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County

7. Carrying Capacity
The maximum number of individuals or inhabitants that an environment can support without detrimental effects on the habitat or to the organisms over time
Nature’s checks and balances
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County

8. Balance
Ecosystems evolve over time through interrelationships of its living and nonliving components
An ecosystem in balance is sustainable
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County

9. What happens to the ecosystem’s balance when AIS are introduced?
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County

10. Small Group Discussion
What link is your AIS in the food chain (what does it eat and what eats it)?
How does this species affect the aquatic ecosystem in the short term?
How does this species affect the aquatic ecosystem in the long term?
Are there any methods of control for this species?
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County