1. Food Chains, Scavengers & Decomposers “they’re everywhere!”

2. What’s A Food Chain? Scientists use a kind of flowchart called a food chain to show how living things are connected together. Scientists use a kind of flowchart called a food chain to show how living things are connected together. A food chain is a convenient way to show how energy moves among living things in an ecosystem. A food chain is a convenient way to show how energy moves among living things in an ecosystem. Some food chains are longer than others, and more than one consumer can be part of a food chain Some food chains are longer than others, and more than one consumer can be part of a food chain

3. For example…

4. Scavengers & Decomposers All living things eventually die (sad, isn’t it?) All living things eventually die (sad, isn’t it?) All consumers generate waste materials from the food they eat (gross, isn’t it?) All consumers generate waste materials from the food they eat (gross, isn’t it?) Our planet would be covered in dead corpses and waste materials if not for a special group of consumers. Our planet would be covered in dead corpses and waste materials if not for a special group of consumers. These consumers get the matter and energy they need from wastes, dead plants and dead animals These consumers get the matter and energy they need from wastes, dead plants and dead animals They are known as scavengers & decomposers! They are known as scavengers & decomposers!

5. Scavengers Scavengers are consumers that don’t usually kill for their own food. Scavengers are consumers that don’t usually kill for their own food. Instead, they feed off the remains of living things that are killed by other consumers. Instead, they feed off the remains of living things that are killed by other consumers. Crows, Ravens, and housefly larva (maggots) are examples of scavengers. Crows, Ravens, and housefly larva (maggots) are examples of scavengers.

6. Decomposers Decomposers are consumers that break-down (decompose) animal wastes and dead plants and animals. Decomposers are consumers that break-down (decompose) animal wastes and dead plants and animals. Fungi such as mushrooms and the mould you see growing on bread, fruits and vegetables are decomposers. Fungi such as mushrooms and the mould you see growing on bread, fruits and vegetables are decomposers. Many kinds of bacteria are also decomposers. Many kinds of bacteria are also decomposers.

7. Decomposers Are Essential Decomposers keep us and other living things from being buried in dead bodies, feces and urine Decomposers keep us and other living things from being buried in dead bodies, feces and urine Their actions mean that plants always have a supply of nutrients available to them Their actions mean that plants always have a supply of nutrients available to them

8. Class Work Read pages 42 &43 in our Science Power 7 books Read pages 42 &43 in our Science Power 7 books The Clean-up Squad: Scavengers and Decomposers. The Clean-up Squad: Scavengers and Decomposers. In your science notebook define each of the following terms and give an example. In your science notebook define each of the following terms and give an example. Scavenger, Decomposer, Micro-organism Scavenger, Decomposer, Micro-organism Also answer Also answer Why are scavengers and decomposers essential to food chains/webs? Why are scavengers and decomposers essential to food chains/webs? It is too noisy! It is too noisy!