Energy and Ecology

Ecosystem Components Producers Basis of an ecosystem’s energy Autotrophs: perform photosynthesis to make sugars Chemotrophs: Bacteria which use minerals from deep-sea vents to make energy Consumers Heterotrophs: Consumes others for energy Omnivores, herbivores, carnivores, decomposers, detritivores Generalists, specialists

Biomass is a measure of the total dry mass of organisms in a given area. We use a biomass pyramid to display this. tertiary consumers secondary primary producers 75 g/m2 150g/m2 675g/m2 2000g/m2

An energy pyramid shows the distribution of energy among trophic levels. energy transferred energy lost Energy pyramids compare energy used by producers and other organisms on trophic levels. Between each tier of an energy pyramid, up to 90 percent of the energy is lost into the atmosphere as heat. Only 10 percent of the energy at each tier is transferred from one trophic level to the next.

4.5897 kcal 45.897 kcal 458.97 kcal 4589.7 kcal 45,897 kcal Trophic Levels 4.5897 kcal 45.897 kcal Defined: Feeding level of an ecosystem Trophic levels consist of producers, consumers, and decomposers ~10% of energy is passed to the next level Few trophic levels 458.97 kcal 4589.7 kcal 45,897 kcal

Defined: Organisms that create their energy through photosynthesis AKA: Autotrophs Convert sunlight into glucose (sugar) Bottom of food chain (1st trophic level) Ex: Plants, Algae, Cyanobacteria Producers

Defined: Organisms that feed on producers 2nd trophic level Primary Consumers Defined: Organisms that feed on producers 2nd trophic level Herbivores (eat plants)

Secondary Consumers Defined: Organisms that feed on 1° consumers 3rd trophic level Carnivores (eat meat) & Omnivores (eat meat & plants)

Defined: Organisms that feed on 2° consumers 4th trophic level Tertiary Consumers Defined: Organisms that feed on 2° consumers 4th trophic level Carnivores and omnivores

Detritivores Detritivores: Feed on dead matter Decomposers: break down dead matter into simpler substances Returns nutrients to the soil

Name the tropic levels in this food pyramid tertiery consumer secondary consumer primary consumer producer

Food Chains Defined: model that shows a sequence of feeding relationships. A food chain links species by their feeding relationships. A food chain follows the connection between one producer and a single chain of consumers within an ecosystem. DESERT COTTONTAIL GRAMA GRASS HARRIS’S HAWK

Food Webs Defined: Group of interrelated food chains Arrows show direction energy (nutrients) travel Analysis Trace 2 food chains from this food web. What could happen if we removed the Grasshopper?

Tertiary consumer Secondary consumer Primary consumer producer

Quaternary consumer Tertiary consumer Secondary consumer Primary consumer producer