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Understanding the 4th Trophic Level

The document discusses energy flow through ecosystems. It explains that energy from the sun is stored by producers like plants through photosynthesis and then consumed by herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. Decomposers then recycle nutrients from dead producers and consumers. Food webs illustrate how energy and matter move between organisms. An energy pyramid shows that only about 10% of energy is transferred to each higher trophic level, resulting in decreasing population sizes at higher levels.

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331 views11 pages

Understanding the 4th Trophic Level

The document discusses energy flow through ecosystems. It explains that energy from the sun is stored by producers like plants through photosynthesis and then consumed by herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. Decomposers then recycle nutrients from dead producers and consumers. Food webs illustrate how energy and matter move between organisms. An energy pyramid shows that only about 10% of energy is transferred to each higher trophic level, resulting in decreasing population sizes at higher levels.

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api-25965241
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Ecosystems Section 2

A. BIG IDEA OF ECOLOGY-INTERDEPENDENCE


• EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED
Ecosystems Section 2

B. How to Analyze Ecosystems

1. Observe how energy moves through


ecosystem

2. Observe nutrients for life -- water, oxygen,


nitrogen, minerals
Ecosystems Section 2

C. Measuring Energy Flow


1. All energy starts with the sun

2. Producers store sun’s energy in molecules


(photosynthesis)
--- sometimes called “autotrophs”
--- plants, algae, plankton

3. Consumers eat the molecules created by producers


(also called heterotrophs)--- herbivores, carnivores,
omnivores

4. Decomposers get energy from dead producers and


consumers--recycle nutrients into soil
Ecosystems Section 2

Energy Flow, continued


Ecosystems Section 2

Energy Flow, cont.


Ecosystems Section 2

D. Food Webs illustrate Energy Flow

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Sorenson Video 3 decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

Click above to play the video.


Ecosystems Section 2

D. Food Webs illustrate Energy Flow


Ecosystems Section 2

Grassland food web

QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Ecosystems Section 2

E. ENERGY PYRAMID
• Energy is LOST when it moves from producers to
consumers (used for life, body heat, uneaten calories)
• Less energy for upper level predators--> lower
populations
Ecosystems Section 2

“10% Rule”

“10% Rule”
Only 10% of energy
at each level moves
to next level
Ecosystems Section 2

Summary
• In an ecosystem, energy flows from the sun to producers
to consumers to decomposers.

• Food webs illustrate how energy and nutrients move


through ecosystems

• Energy is stored at each part of a food web, but most


energy is used or lost

• An energy pyramid illustrates the “10% Rule” -- upper


levels have less energy, and lower populations

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