How is an organism’s energy role determined in an ecosystem? Ecosystems How is an organism’s energy role determined in an ecosystem? Ocean Ecosystem Desert Ecosystem Forest Ecosystem

Ecosystems – Energy Roles The Producers: Get energy by making their own food - photosynthesis Examples are plants, algae and plankton.

Ecosystems – Energy Roles The Consumers: Organisms that get their energy from eating food.

Ecosystems – Energy Roles The Decomposers: Organisms that get energy by breaking down dead organisms. Examples are bacteria and fungi.

Energy in an Ecosystem What is the source of all energy in an ecosystem? Photosynthesis – using sunlight as energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into food. 6H2O + 6CO2 ----------> C6H12O6+ 6O2

Ecosystems – Energy Roles Three types of consumers Carnivores – eat only other animals (meat eaters) Omnivores – eat plants and other animals Herbivores – eat only plants

Ecosystems – Energy Roles Scavenger: Carnivores that feed on dead organisms.

Ecosystems – Energy Roles Difference between scavenger and decomposer?

Food Chains: Third level consumer Shows a specific series of feeding events in an ecosystem. Every feeding moves energy through an ecosystem. The Producers are always at the bottom. Arrows can be replaced by the phrase “is eaten by..” Second level consumer First level consumer producer

Food Webs Many overlapping food chains Show feeding relationships for the whole ecosystem. - Food Chain Food Web

Food webs -

What does an energy pyramid show? The amount of energy that moves from one feeding level to another.

How does the amount of energy at one level of an energy pyramid compare to the amount of energy available at the next level up? There is more energy at the lower levels. As you move up energy is lost Decreasing energy

Energy Pyramids 10% of energy is transferred 90% of energy is lost Decreasing energy Energy not transferred is used by the organism or lost as heat.

Energy Flows and matter is Cycled in an ecosystem Energy is supplied by the sun. Energy is lost as it flows through the ecosystem. Basic elements (matter) is continuously recycled through an ecosystem.