ROLES OF ORGANISMS IN AN ECOSYSTEM

Producers and Consumers: Decomposers, Carnivores and Herbivores

Producers Consumers(Carnivores)

(Herbivores)

(Decomposers)

Producers Producers: are organisms that are

able to make their own food using abiotic elements in the environment

Some of the abiotic elements include the Sun’s light and heat, water and soil.

Plants interact with the Sun’s light and heat to support life on Earth.

Producers cont… Plants are the only organisms

that can use the Sun’s energy to produce food.

Plants make (produce) their own food through a process called photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis is a process by which plants use water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight to produce sugars (food).

Photosynthesis:

Sun’s energy + Water + Carbon dioxide

Food (Sugar) + Oxygen

Photosynthesis cont… Since plants produce their

own foodthrough photosynthesis, they are know as producers. Other living things interact with

plants as food or to find or make shelter.

Consumers

• Herbivores• Carnivores• Omnivores• Scavengers• Decomposers

an organism that eats other living things for energy

Animals cannot make their own food and therefore must obtain their energy by eating (consuming) other organisms.

There are five types of consumers.

Any guesses?

Consumers cont… Herbivores are organisms that

only eat plants. Carnivores are organisms that

only eat other animals. Omnivores are organisms that

eat both plants and animals. Scavengers are organisms that

eat already dead animals. A fifth and special type of

consumer is the decomposer (and detrivore).

Decomposers are organisms that consume and

break down dead organisms or waste matter into simple substances

Decomposers (and detrivores) are known as nature’s “clean-up squad”.

Decomposers supply nutrients to plants and connect the biotic and abiotic elements of an ecosystem

Class work

Classwork: 1. Read/skim over section 5.1 “The Roles of

Organisms in an Ecosystem” 2. Add examples for producers and consumers from

the text (and your own ideas) to your handout. 3. Answer questions 1, 2, and 4 in “Check Your

Learning” at the end of section 5.1.(Make sure your answers are written using complete sentences, start with part of the

question and include science vocabulary/concepts.)