1. Energy and Ecology

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 4.5897 kcal 45.897 kcal 458.97 kcal 4589.7 kcal 45,897 kcal
Trophic
Levels
kcal
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
kcal
kcal
45,897 kcal

6. 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

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

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

9. 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

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

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

12. 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

13. 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?

14. Tertiary consumer
Secondary consumer
Primary consumer
producer

15. Quaternary consumer
Tertiary consumer
Secondary consumer
Primary consumer
producer