1.
The Niche
a way of life or a role in an ecosystem

2. Earthworm Niche

3. Energy in an Ecosystem
Producers are photosynthetic and make carbohydrates by using energy from the sun
Commonly called autotrophs
Some are chemosynthetic and use chemicals to make carbohydrates instead of sunlight

4. Energy in an Ecosystem
Consumers obtain energy by eating other organisms
Commonly called heterotrophs
includes
Herbivores = eat only plants
Omnivores = eat plants and animals
Carnivores = eat only animals
Detritivores = eat dead organic matter
Decomposers = detritivores that break down organic matter into simpler compounds

5. Energy Flow Food Chains A single pathway of energy transfer
Sequence that links species by their feeding relationships
Food Webs
A network showing all paths of energy transfer

6. Food Chain in an Antarctic Ecosystem

7. Food Web in an Antarctic Ecosystem

8. Energy Transfer
Ecosystems contain only a few trophic levels because there is a low rate of energy transfer between each level
Primary Consumer = herbivore that eats producers
Secondary Consumer = carnivores that eat herbivores
Tertiary Consumer = carnivores that eat other carnivores

9. Energy Transfer Through Trophic Levels

10. Energy Pyramid – compares energy used by producers and consumers

11. Water Cycle

12. Carbon Cycle

13. Nitrogen Cycle