The Cycling of Matter Energy Ecosystems Community of

The Cycling of Matter & Energy

Ecosystems Community of interacting organisms within a biome living in Balance Each organism plays a role in their ecosystem to maintain balance

Organisms Individual living things Animals Plants Bacteria Fungi All organisms live in balance in ecosystems Food web within an ecosystem

Living organisms in ecosystems are called biotic Grouped as: Producers Make their own food Consumers Decomposers Eat other Break down dead organisms for material food

Producers make their own food through Photosynthesis by converting sunlight energy into carbohydrates which give energy to consumers

There are three types of consumers: Primary Consumers Herbivore-eats only plants (producers) Secondary Consumers-carnivore that eats primary consumers or omnivore that eats a combination of primary consumers and producers Tertiary Consumers eats only secondary consumers-the topmost carnivore in an ecosystem

Classify these Critters Squirrels Lions Rabbits Foxes Coyotes Trees Sheep Zebras Deer Green Algae Producers Primary Consumers Bobcats Gophers Insects Cows Owls Secondary Tertiary Grass Tigers Consumers Pigs Flowers Mice Cyanobacteria* Humans* Are they all easy? Do some fit in multiple categories?

Start! Energy Flow in Ecosystems Solar Energy from the Sun Primary Consumers eat Producers for nutrients and energy Secondary Consumers Producers eat Primary Consumers for photosynthesize to make carbohydrates nutrients and energy Tertiary Consumers Energy Transfer Decomposers eat Secondary Consumers for nutrients and energy recycle dead organic waste (biomass)

Energy Cycling

Energy Flow within an Ecosystem Sun Solar Energy Heat Chemical Energy Primary Consumer Producers Organic Waste Heat Organic Waste Secondary/Tertiary Heat Consumer Organic Waste Decomposers

Decomposers Decomposition/Decay consume dead plants & animals (biomass) to recycle them back to nutrients for producers Decomposers are usually put at the bottom of a food web, but they are very important because they cycle biomass.

Biomass • Biomass is organic matter left behind when organisms die or as a byproduct of some industries. • Decomposers cycle biomass back into the food web by converting this organic matter into carbon dioxide and nutrients. • Energy is released in the form of heat during this process. • Biomass is also considered a renewable energy source!

Nutrients that decomposers recycle back into the soil: Water Nitrogen Carbon Phosphorus These are essential to all life but are only present in finite amounts throughout the world hence the need for cycling of nutrients in ecosystems

Decomposers: Bacteria -Unicellular organisms -Can break down just about any type of organic matter -Live on land, air and sea -1 gram of soil (about a paperclip’s weight) contains 40 million (40, 000) bacterial cells!

Decomposers: Fungi -Are not plants -Does include molds -Fungi release enzymes to decompose decaying material -Fungi grow on hyphae: unseen strands beneath the surface of the material they are decomposing

Fungi in action! Mold growth over a decaying peach & Life of Fungi

Decomposers: Earthworms • Earthworms act as scavengers • Earthworms breathe through their skin • They do not have eyes but do have light & touch sensitive organs • Earthworms are hermaphroditic which means they have both male and female organs

Composting Controlled Decomposition – in your backyard! Humus Mature compost ready to deliver the nutrients from decomposed materials back to producers.

Composting requires a mixture of – 1. Browns – carbon source 3. Water leaves, branches 2. Greens – nitrogen source grass, food scraps 4. Air

Why Compost? Think of different reasons that the composting cycle is important to YOU!

Why Compost? Turn dead organic waste (biomass), like dead leaves and table scraps, into a healthy, natural fertilizer for your gardens and lawns. The humus can replenish nutrients in the soil. Results: • Higher crop yields • Enrich soil • Cleaner soil & air • Suppress plant diseases • Reduce waste without a landfill!

The Big Picture: Cycle of Matter Replenish Soil Cycling of Nutrients Compost Organic Waste Decomposers