The Flow of Energy Through an Ecosystem

1. The Flow of Energy Through an Ecosystem By: Heather N. Montgomery

2. Food Chains A food chain shows the relationships among plants, animals, and other organisms in an ecosystem. Energy flows through an ecosystem by way of food chains.

3. What is an Ecosystem? • An ecosystem is a group of organisms that live in a particular environment and need each other for survival. • Organisms are living things such as plants and animals.

4. How Does a Food Chain Work? The sun is the primary energy source for all living organisms. • All food chains begin with the sun. • Producers- harness energy from the sun. Ex. (plants) • Consumers-organisms that eat something else. Ex.(animals) • Decomposers-As each member of the food chain dies, decomposers eat it, break down the “dead stuff”, and return the nutrients to the soil. Ex. (bacteria and fungi) • The nutrients in the soil then allow new plants (producers) to have nourishment when they grow. • This completes the food chain circle and allows the entire food chain process to start over again.

5. Energy Flow in an Ecosystem Graphic Organizer The sun is the primary energy source for all living organisms. Producers harvest energy from the sun. (plants) Consumers are organisms that eat something else. (animals) Decomposers eat and break down dead plants and animals and return nutrients to the soil for new producers .

6. Food Web • Can you identify the: • Primary source of energy for all living organisms • Producer • Consumers • Decomposer