Basics of Ecosystems An ecosystem includes all of

Basics of Ecosystems

An ecosystem includes all of the interacting parts of a biological community and its environment. This includes the organisms living in that area and their interactions with each other and their interactions with the environment.

Components of Ecosystems ECOSYSTEMS ARE MADE UP OF BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC FACTORS Biotic Factors Abiotic Factors Living parts of an Non-living parts of an ecosystem Includes all organisms (plants Includes water, oxygen, light, and animals) and their nutrients, soil, temperature interactions Example: symbiosis, predation, competition

The fuel of all Ecosystems is…

Photosynthesis Sunlight energy is taken in by plants along with carbon dioxide and water, and converted into oxygen, and glucose Glucose is chemical energy we use as our fuel

Cellular Respiration Organisms use glucose for fuel and oxygen to breath We change this into carbon dioxide and water

They work together! You can’t have one without the other Photosynthesis: Sun energy + CO 2 + H 2 O O 2 + glucose Cellular Respiration: Glucose + O 2 CO 2 + H 2 O

Green plants are called producers because they produce chemical energy (fuel) for the ecosystem.

Some animals get their energy by eating plants. They are called primary consumers or herbivores. Others get their energy by feeding on plant-eaters. They are called secondary consumers or carnivores. Some animals eat both plants and animals – they are called omnivores

Many organisms do not get eaten| until after they have died. When they (living things) die, energy still remains in the tissues of their bodies. Decomposers break down the cells and extract the last remaining energy.

Scavengers feed on larger dead animals. Detritivores feed on smaller dead animals, dead plant matter, and dung.

Energy and Nutrient Transfer Energy and nutrients transfer from organisms as they are consumed Transfer of energy is shown using a food chain Sequence of living organisms tied together by feeding and energy transfer relationships

Food Chain Arrows show the transfer of energy from one organism to another The organism that eats the other organism gets the energy and has the arrow pointing towards it

Food Web A food web shows the multiple connections within an ecosystem

Energy At each level of the food chain, about 90% of the energy is lost through use by the organism. The remaining 10% of energy is passed on to the next organism when consumed. Therefore, as you move up the food chain, there is less energy available. Animals located at the top of the food chain need a lot more food to meet their energy needs.

Trophic Levels The levels that each organism occupies in the food chain. Each level of the food chain represents one trophic level. Trophic Level One – Producers Trophic Level Two – Primary Consumers (Herbivores) Trophic Level Three – Secondary Consumers Etc…