The Cycling of Matter & Energy

Community of interacting organisms within a biome living in Balance

Ecosystems

Each organism plays a role in their ecosystem to maintain balance

OrganismsIndividual living things

AnimalsPlants

BacteriaFungi

All organisms live in balance in ecosystems

Food web within an ecosystem

Living organisms in ecosystems are called biotic

Grouped as:

Producers Consumers Decomposers

Make their own food

Eat other organisms for

foodBreak down

dead material

Producers make their own food through

by converting sunlight energy into carbohydrates which give energy to consumers

Photosynthesis

Producers

There are three types of consumers: Primary Consumers Herbivore-eats only plants (producers)

Secondary Consumers-carnivore thateats 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

SquirrelsLionsRabbitsFoxesCoyotesTreesSheepZebrasDeerGreen Algae

Primary Consumers

Producers

Secondary Consumers

BobcatsGophersInsectsCowsOwlsGrassTigersPigsFlowersMiceCyanobacteria*Humans*

Tertiary Consumers

Are they all easy? Do some fit in multiple categories?

Energy Flow in EcosystemsPrimary Consumers eat Producers for nutrients and energy

Solar Energy from the Sun

Producers photosynthesize to make carbohydrates

Secondary Consumers eat Primary Consumers for nutrients and energy

Decomposers recycle dead organic waste (biomass)

Energy Transfer

Start!

Tertiary Consumers eat Secondary Consumers for nutrients and energy

Energy Cycling

Energy Flow within an EcosystemSun

ProducersPrimary

Consumer

Secondary/TertiaryConsumer

Decomposers

Heat Heat Heat

Heat

Chemical Energy

Chemical Energy

Solar Energy

Organic Waste

Organic Waste

Organic Waste

Heat

Decomposition/Decay

Decomposers are usually put at the bottom of a food web, but they are very important because they cycle biomass.

Decomposers

consume dead plants & animals (biomass) to recycle them back to nutrients for producers

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 Carbon

Nitrogen 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 (40,000,000)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

&

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

Decomposers:

CompostingControlled Decomposition – in your backyard!

HumusMature compost ready to deliver the nutrients from decomposed materials back to producers.

Composting requires a mixture of –

1. Browns – carbon source

2. Greens – nitrogen source

3. Water

leaves, branches

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

Organic Waste

DecomposersCompost

Replenish Soil Cycling of

Nutrients