FOOD CHAINS AND FOOD WEBS

For Ms. Musich’s Sixth Grade Class

Energy Roles

ProducerObtains energy through photosynthesis

○ All plants

ConsumerObtains energy by eating plants or animals

○ All animals

DecomposerObtains energy by decomposing the dead

remains of organisms○ Fungi & Bacteria

Producer

All food chains begin with a producer

Producer

1st Level Consumer

A 1st level consumer eats the producerThese consumers are known as herbivores

○ Herbivores are animals that only eat plants

1st Level Consumer

2nd Level Consumer A 2nd level consumer eats the first level

consumerThese consumers could be considered omnivores or

carnivores○ An omnivore is an animal that eats both plants and

animals○ A carnivore is an animal that only eats meat

2nd Level Consumer

3rd Level Consumer

A 3rd level consumer eats a 2nd level consumerThese consumers can be considered

carnivores○ A carnivore is an animal that only eats meat

3rd Level Consumer

Scavengers

A scavenger is an animal that doesn’t hunt for food.

They “scrounge” for food that other animals have killed.Some common examples are crows,

hyenas, vultures and raccoons

Decomposers and Scavengers are VERY important parts of an ecosystem! Why?

Decomposers and Scavengers are VERY important

parts of an ecosystem! Why?

Fungi is pretty!

http://lamington.nrsm.uq.edu.au/documents/plant/fungi.htm

Without Decomposers/Scavengers…

We would be living with a lot of trash…

What Do Food Chains Show Us?

A food chain shows how each organism obtains food.

How nutrients and energy are passed from creature to creature.

An example of a food chain with 3 organisms

More Examples

Producer

Producer

1st Level Consumer

1st Level Consumer

2nd Level Consumer

2nd Level Consumer

3rd Level Consumer

3rd Level Consumer

4th Level Consumer

For Homework!

Create three separate food chains!

Remember, they must start with a producer!

Each chain must be at least 4 organisms long.

COLORING IS NOT OPTIONAL - YOU MUST.

The Circle of Life!

Food Webs

A food web is just a bunch of food chains put together!

C

H

A

I

N

W

E

B

Energy Pyramid

An energy pyramid shows the amount of energy transferred from one level to the next.

Let’s Test Our Knowledge! Producers, Consumers & Decomposer

Game

Animal Diet Game

Food Chain Game

Food Web Interactive

Resources

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/

www.sciencebob.com

www.teacher.scholastic.com