ECOLOGY Trophic Elements 4272020 TROPHIC ELEMENTS When studying

ECOLOGY: Trophic Elements 4/27/2020

TROPHIC ELEMENTS When studying the flow of energy through an ecosystem different organisms and organic matter fall into different categories. Living organisms can be categorized as producers, consumers, detritivores or scavengers. Organic matter can be classified as detritus or carrion. The “flow of energy” flows with the food chain arrow. In the following slides we will look at each trophic element and cover a few examples of each.

PRODUCERS Organisms which use photosynthesis to turn light energy into chemical energy called glucose. (AUTOTROPHS) PLANTS TREES

PRODUCERS ALGAE DIATOMS SUCCULENTS PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIA PHYTOPLANKTON

CONSUMERS Organisms which must eat other organisms or organic material to obtain energy. (HETEROTROPHS) ANIMALS FUNGUS

CONSUMERS BACTERIA HUMANS CARNIVOROUS PLANTS INSECTS MUSHROOMS

DETRITUS Dead organic material primarily from plants. DEAD PLANTS DEAD LEAVES

DETRITUS MANURE OLD BARK DEAD FLOWERS DEAD ROOTS ROTTING FRUIT

CARRION Decaying flesh of dead animals. (not freshly killed animals) BONES CARCUS

DETRITIVORE Animals which eat detritus. EARTHWORMS SNAILS

DETRITIVORE CRICKETS COCKROACHES HARVESTOR ANTS MILLIPEDE

SCAVENGERS Animals which eat carrion. VULTURE ANTS

SCAVENGERS DOGS BOAR HYENAS WOLVES HISTER BEETLES

DECOMPOSERS Non-animal organisms which break dead organic materials into reusable molecules. FUNGUS BACTERIA

DECOMPOSERS MOLD SHELF FUNGUS SLIME MOLD

FOOD CHAIN ARROW Points with the flow of energy through the trophic levels, food chains and food webs.