The Organisms of an Ecosystem ALL LIVING THINGS

The Organisms of an Ecosystem

ALL LIVING THINGS NEED Energy TO SURVIVE

SUNLIGHT is the main source of energy for all living things

Ecosystem n An ecosystem is all the living and non living things in an area. Living or Biotic Things: Plants, Animals, Bacteria § Non Living or Abiotic Things: Sunlight, water, soil, rocks, and air §

We normally classify organisms into 3 categories: 1. 2. 3. Producers Consumers Decomposers They all depend on each other. An organism can also be classified as a: Scavenger

Producers Are… n Producers get their energy from the sun to make their own food (PLANTS) n They make their food through a process called photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis (part 1) n n n In this process, plants take in a gas called carbon dioxide through their leaves. Plants also take in water from the soil through their roots When sunlight falls on their leaves, plants use the energy in the sunlight to change the carbon dioxide and water into oxygen gas and sugar

Photosynthesis (part 2) The sugar is stored energy or food n Plants give off the oxygen through their leave into the air as waste n

Consumers need to eat their food to get energy. (ANIMALS)

There are THREE types of Consumers § Carnivores § Herbivores § Omnivores

Carnivores only eat meat (other animals) carne means meat

Herbivores eat only plants. THINK OF HERBS, PLANTS YOU COOK WITH

Omnivores eat both meat (animals) and plants. The brown bear eats berries, roots, grasses, fish, small mammals, and insects.

Decomposers n Decomposers break down organisms and turn them back into nutrients for the soil.

Examples: • Bacteria • Fungi (mushrooms) • Earthworms • Snails

Scavenger n Feed on dead animals (ex. A vulture)

Predator Animals that hunt other animals for food n Example: A hawk hunts mice and rabbits n

Prey The animal that is hunted n Example: mice and rabbits n

How they relate.