Jessica Wada

EDSC 304
Unit Notes: Energy and Matter in Ecosystems
Agenda
In class ecosystems--the different components and levels
On your own read textbook chapters on cycles of matter and energy flow in
ecosystems
In class activity (turn in) Food chain/web worksheet (turn in for credit)

What do you already know? Brainstorm and write down what comes to mind in the space below.

Section 1: Producers and Consumers

Consumers

Producers
Definition: Definition:

Examples: Examples:

 Also known as _____________________, meaning  Also known as a ___________________,

“___________________________” meaning "_______________________"
 Use ___________________________ to make food
 3 main examples:
 __________________: the process by which - _________________: these organisms
______________________ _______________ take in _________ eat producers
_____________________, ___________ _____________________ from - _________________: these organisms
the air, and ___________ and convert them into eat other heterotrophs to gain
_____________ (food). _______________ is also released as a nutrients
biproduct. - ______________________: these
Jessica Wada
EDSC 304
organisms eat both producers and
consumers that have begun to
 Equation: decay

Food for thought—Quick Check Questions Page. Take notes on what is discussed during this time.

1. What are autotrophs and heterotrophs?

2. Compare the two ways of obtaining nutrients in terms of efficiency.

3. What if there are no producers in an ecosystem?

4. What if there is no sunlight (for example, deep in the ocean)?

Section 2: Energy
Energy ____________________ through an ecosystem (via food) in the order shown below:

-> ->

Where would decomposers be? Write them above on the diagram.

Jessica Wada
EDSC 304

Cellular Respiration

 the process by which organisms

 Equation:

->

Energy Transfer

 Law of ___________________ of Energy: energy can neither be _____________________ nor

______________________
 Energy transfer is extremely ______________________. At each step, only ___________________ of the
energy is transferred

Where do you think the rest of the energy goes?

Food Chains Food Webs

Khan Academy defines it as: Why use a food web?

__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
example:
 better way to represent
_______________________________________ in
an ecosystem because organisms
belong to _______________________________
and consume ___________________________

Levels in a food chain:  _______________________ is only one line of

_______________________ -> ____________________ -> consumption while food webs show
_______________________ -> ____________________ -> __________________________________
_______________________ (at the very top, "_______________"
have no predators)

*insert Food Chain/web activity page here*

Jessica Wada
EDSC 304
Ecological Pyramids
Copy the pyramid here:
Fact Check: What is a trophic level?

 a different way to represent

______________________________________________
 energy transfers ____________________

 3 different ways to represent the trophic levels:

1.
2.
3.

Video Notes:

Numbers Biomass Energy

Show: Show: Show:

Look like: Look like: Look like:

Jessica Wada
EDSC 304
Question Time Notes

1. Differentiate the different information displayed by a food chain, food web, and the three ecological
pyramids.

Food Chain Food Web Ecological pyramids

Show: Show: Show:

Look like: Look like: Look like:

2. Why do most ecological pyramids have a triangle shape?

3. In which situations would an ecological pyramid NOT have a triangle shape? Explain your reasoning.

4. In which situations would an ecological pyramid ALWAYS have a triangle shape? Explain your
reasoning.
Jessica Wada
EDSC 304
Section 3: Biogeochemical Cycles of Matter
4 Main Types of Biogeochemical Cycles that we will cover (sulfur will not be discussed).
1.
2.
3.
4.

Hydrologic Cycle Carbon Cycle

__E_________________________(transpiration)_ --> Process that ________________ C from atmosphere---

___C__________________________ -->
______________________: converts atmospheric carbon
Water storage in ______________________________ to organic matter (glucose)

___P___________________________ --> Processes that _________________ C to atmosphere:

Water storage in ___________________, _________________, 1. _______________________: pass carbon from

and ____________________________ organism to organism
2. ________________________________: occurs in every
__R__________________/D__________________ --> organism
3.
Water storage in ________________________
Some "Carbon ____________":
1.
2.
Draw a simplified diagram here: 3.

Draw a simplified diagram here:

Jessica Wada
EDSC 304
Nitrogen Cycle
N gas is primarily _________________________________.
It is a _____________________!
Nitrogen changes forms via:
 _______________________________ (convert to usable
ammonium)
 _______________________________ (convert
ammonium to nitrites then nitrates)
 *______________________ in soil contains nitrates
 _________________________ into plants
 food chains: pass from organism to organism
 decomposers: return N to ____________
 *___________________________________ return N to
atmosphere
Video Notes:
Draw a simplified diagram here:
Phosphorus Cycle
Only passes through ______________ and _____________,
not ____________! These steps cycle through and
repeat.
1. ____________________ come up containing P
2. __________________________ of rock moves P into soil
*_______________________ contains phosphates as well
3. ____________________________ into plants
4. food chain: passes P from organism to organism
5. excretion/decay: moves P into ___________________
6. P is in ___________________________
7. ____________________ form rocks
Video Notes:
Draw a simplified diagram here:
Jessica Wada
EDSC 304
Review and Applying Principles Question Notes

1. In groups of four, explain one cycle each. Make sure to start at one step in the cycle and conclude
with that same step.

2. Analyze the role of the 3. Compare the role of the 4. Analyze the role of the
ocean in the four cycles. atmosphere in the four cycles. earth (rock) in the four cycles.

5. Predict the impact of using too much fertilizer by a pond (Fertilizer contains nitrates and
phosphates).