Unit 5: The Cycling of Matter & Energy. Community of interacting organisms within a biome living in...
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Transcript of Unit 5: The Cycling of Matter & Energy. Community of interacting organisms within a biome living in...
Unit 5: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
SquirrelsLionsRabbitsFoxesCoyotesTreesSheepZebrasDeerGreen Algae
BobcatsGophersInsectsCowsOwlsGrassTigersPigsFlowersMiceCyanobacteria*Humans*
1. Producers2. Primary Consumers3. Secondary Consumers
4. Tertiary Consumers
5. Quaternary Consumers
4. Herbivores
5. Carnivores
6. Omnivores
Classify these Critters
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 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
Energy Cycling
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
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!
What would happen if
there were no decomposers?
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!
• When we eat food, we change the chemical energy from plants into mechanical energy and thermal energy.
+
Decomposers only generate thermal energy – HEAT!
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
CompostingControlled Decomposition – in your backyard!
HumusMature compost ready to deliver the nutrients from decomposed materials back to producers.
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:
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