Trophic Levels & Energy in Ecosystems

Energy Movement through Ecosystems Energy flows through ecosystems Trophic levels: feeding relationships

Trophic Relationships Primary producer – All autotrophs Primary consumer – Herbivores (eat producers) Secondary consumer – Carnivores (eat primary consumers) Tertiary consumer – Carnivores (eat secondary consumers) Quaternary consumer – Carnivores (eat tertiary consumers) Detritivore – Eat dead plant/animal matter Decomposer – Recycle matter back to soil

Food Chain A linear relationship that illustrates how energy flows in an ecosystem

Food Web A collection of interconnecting food chains