The Cycling of Matter & Energy

1. The Cycling of Matter & Energy

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

3. Organisms Individual living things Animals Plants Bacteria Fungi All organisms live in balance in ecosystems Food web within an ecosystem

4. Living organisms in ecosystems are called biotic Grouped as:

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

6. Primary Consumers Herbivore-eats only plants (producers) There are three types of consumers: Secondary Consumers-carnivore that eats 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

7. Classify these Critters Primary Consumers Producers Bobcats Gophers Insects Cows Owls Grass Tigers Pigs Flowers Mice Cyanobacteria* Humans* Squirrels Lions Rabbits Foxes Coyotes Trees Sheep Zebras Deer Green Algae Secondary Consumers Tertiary Consumers Are they all easy? Do some fit in multiple categories?

8. Start! Energy Flow in Ecosystems Primary Consumers eat Producers for nutrients and energy Solar Energy from the Sun Secondary Consumers eat Primary Consumers for nutrients and energy Producersphotosynthesize to make carbohydrates Tertiary Consumers eat Secondary Consumers for nutrients and energy Decomposers recycle dead organic waste (biomass) Energy Transfer

9. Energy Cycling

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

11. Decomposers are usually put at the bottom of a food web, but they are very important because they cycle biomass. Decomposition/Decay Decomposers consume dead plants & animals (biomass) to recycle them back to nutrients for producers

12. Biomass • Biomass is organic matterleft 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!

13. Carbon Nutrients that decomposers recycle back into the soil: Water Phosphorus Nitrogen These are essential to all life but are only present in finiteamounts throughout the world hence the need for cycling of nutrients in ecosystems

14. 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!

15. 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

16. Fungi in action! Mold growth over a decaying peach & Life of Fungi

17. 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

18. Composting Controlled Decomposition – in your backyard! Humus Mature compost ready to deliver the nutrients from decomposed materials back to producers.

19. Composting requires a mixture of – 1. Browns – carbon source 3. Water leaves, branches 2. Greens – nitrogen source 4. Air grass, food scraps

20. Why Compost? Think of different reasons that the composting cycle is important to YOU!

21. 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!

22. The Big Picture: Cycling of Nutrients