Ecology VocabularyAll the words we need to know to talk about the systems

present in the world around us!

Ecology:The study of living things and the way they live in

their environment.

Ecosystem

All the living and non-living things in a particular area.

Biotic Factors: Living, once living made by living things

Abiotic Factors:Non-living

Environment:

The set of living and non-living things that make up a region.

Habitat:

The place where an animal or plant lives.

Using Ecology Vocabulary

Use the pictures on the slides to answer the questions in your noteblanks. Use the vocabulary you just learned!

Some answers will not be visible in the picture, make inferences!

Work with your neighbors if you would like

Picture #1: Pacific Tree Frog in Blackberry Bush

Picture #2: Douglas’s Squirrel in Douglas Fir Forest

Energy FlowHow does energy move through an ecosystem?

Where does the energy in your body come from?

Energy Source: The Sun

All the energy within our food originates from the sun –

Plants make the sun’s energy into sugar

All other animals must consume sugars to get energy

It comes from the

sun!

Food ChainsA food chain shows where organisms get their energy

from in a particular habitat.

The arrow points in the direction of the energy flow.

Energy is passed along the food chain

Now make a food chain!

Food Chains

Producer:•Makes their own food from carbon dioxide and water using the energy from sun.

Primary (1st level) Consumer:•Eats (Consumes) producers

Secondary (2nd level) Consumer:•Eats primary consumers

Labeled Food Chain

ProducerPrimary Consumer

Secondary Consumer

Energy is passed along the food chain.

Food Chains

Decomposer: a living organism that helps to break down dead organisms.

Food Webs

In all healthy habitats, more than one organism normally eats/is eaten by other organisms.

• A food web includes many food chains which interlink with each other.

• Make a food web on your page with the pictures and info you have!

Food Webs

Herbivore:Animal that eats only plants.

Carnivore:Animal that eats other animals.

Omnivore:Animal that eats plants and other animals.

Food WebsScavenger:

an animal that eats decaying animals and plants

Activity: Food Chains in Food Web

Key:Top predator: HawkProducer: Marsh Grass, CattailConsumers: Grasshopper, Cricket, Shrew, Frog, Snake, HawkPrimary (1o) consumer: Grasshopper, CricketTertiary (3o) consumer: Snake, HawkHerbivores: Grasshopper, CricketCarnivores: Shrew, Frog, Snake, Hawk

What is another name for a primary consumer?

Fox & SunCreate a food chain to explain why a fox is

reliant on the Sun. Write it in your note blanks, and include:The sunA producerA primary (1st level) consumerThe fox

Fox and the SunFood chain:

Sun Grass RabbitFox

Fox and the Sun

Now turn your chain into a web!

Add:1. One more producer

2. One more primary (1st level) consumer

3. One more secondary (2nd level) consumer

4. One tertiary (3rd level) consumer Hint: 3rd level gets energy from the 2nd level!

Fox and the Sun

Sun Grass Rabbit Fox

Blackberries Mouse SnakeHawk

Could you add more arrows?? Try!!•Food webs are MESSY, because ecosystems are complicated