Understanding the Cycling of Matter and Energy in Ecosystems

The Cycling of Matter & Energy

Biomes A geographical region that has characteristic climate, plant and animal life Shown here are arctic tundra, savannah, and mountain biomes Biomes There can be many ecosystems within a biome

Ecosystems Community of interacting organisms within a biome living in Balance Each organism plays a role in their ecosystem to maintain balance

Organisms Individual living things Animals Plants Monera Fungi Protists All organisms live in balance in ecosystems Food web within an ecosystem

Living organisms in ecosystems are called biotic components Grouped as: Producers Consumers Decomposers Make their own food Eat producers for food Break down dead material Autotrophs Heterotrophs Detritivores

Producers Producers make their own food through Photosynthesis by converting sunlight energy into carbohydrates which give energy to consumers

There are two types of consumers: Primary Consumers eat only plants (or the producers) Secondary Consumers eat other animals (such as the primary consumers)

Classify these Critters Producers Squirrels Lions Rabbits Foxes Coyotes Trees Sheep Zebras Deer Green Algae Bobcats Gophers Insects Cows Owls Grass Tigers Pigs Flowers Mice Cyanobacteria Humans Primary Consumers Secondary Consumers

Energy Flow in Ecosystems Solar Energy from the Sun Primary Consumers eat Producers for nutrients Secondary Consumers eat Primary Producers for nutrients Producers photosynthesize to make carbohydrates Decomposers recycle dead organic waste into nutrients for plants Energy Transfer

Energy Cycling

Energy Flow within an Ecosystem Heat Heat Heat Sun Solar Energy Chemical Energy Chemical Energy Secondary Consumer Primary Consumer Heat Producers Organic Waste Organic Waste Organic Waste Decomposers

Decomposition Decomposers consume dead plants & animals to recycle consume dead plants & animals to recycle them back to nutrients for producers them back to nutrients for producers

The nutrients decomposers recycle back into the soil are: Carbon Water Phosphorus Nitrogen These elements 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 bacterial cells = 40,000,000

Decomposers: Fungi Are not plants Does include molds Fungi release enzymes to decompose decaying material Fungi grow on hyphae: unseen roots beneath the surface of the material they are decomposing

Mold growth over a decaying peach & Life of Fungi

Decomposers: 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

Composting Controlled Decomposition in your backyard! Humus mature compost ready to deliver the nutrients from decomposed materials back to Producers

Composting requires a mixture of 1. Browns carbon source 3. Water Leaves, branches 2. Greens nitrogen source 4. Air Grass, Food scraps

Worms are natures ultimate recyclers! Worm composing or vermiculture is just like composting, only red worms do the decomposing Red worms can eat their weight in organic matter every day They leave behind casings or casts that are rich in nutrients

Why Compost? Turn dead organic waste, like dead leaves and table scraps, into a healthy, natural fertilizer for your gardens and lawns. The humus can replenish nutrients in the soil. Expect higher crop yields Enrich soil Cleaner soil & air Suppress plant diseases Reduce waste without a landfill!

Composting Cycle Cycle of Matter Cycling of Nutrients Replenish Soil Organic Waste Compost Decomposers