HOW ECOSYSTEMS WORK

HOW ECOSYSTEMS WORKLife on Earth Depends on the Sun

6 CO2 + 6 H2O C6H12O6 + 6 O2PRODUCERSOrganisms that can use sunlight directly to make their own energyAka AUTOTROPH

Trap solar energy and perform photosynthesis

Vital to ecosystems

Ex: grasses, algae, cactuses, treesCONSUMERSRely on producers directly or indirectly for their energy

Aka HETEROTROPHS

Primary Consumers = HerbivoresSecondary Consumers = Carnivores or OmnivoresDECOMPOSERSBreaks down dead organisms and waste materialReturns nutrients to soil, water and air

Ex : fungi and bacteriaENERGY TRANSFEREach time one organism eats another, a transfer of energy occurs

Study energy transfers by mapping out food chains and food webs

SPECIAL TERMSPredatorPreyScavengerParasiteHost

FOOD WEBPYRAMIDS

1- NUMBERS

2- BIOMASS

3- ENERGYPyramid of Numbers

Pyramid of Biomass

Pyramid of Energy

Calculate the Percentage loss of energy at each levelCayuga lake, NY- lake ecosystem

Humans 1.2 caloriesTrout 6 caloriesSmelt 30 caloriesSmall aquatic 150 calories animals5. Algae 1000 caloriesCalculate the Percentage loss of energy at each levelCayuga lake, NY- lake ecosystem

Humans 1.2 calories 80 %Trout 6 calories 80 %Smelt 30 calories 80 %Small aquatic 150 calories 85 % animals5. Algae 1000 calories