Ecosystem Interactions: Producers, Consumers, Decomposers, and Symbiosis

Ecosystem

An ecosystem is a specific area where both living and non-living things interact.

Producers

Producers use the sun's energy to produce their own food through a process called photosynthesis.

Survival of Ecosystems

Without producers, ecosystems would not be able to survive.

Plants as Producers

All plants in an ecosystem are producers.

Consumers

Consumers cannot make their own food and must consume or eat something in order to gain energy.

Animals as Consumers

All animals are consumers.

Types of Consumers

Consumers are classified into three groups: 1. herbivores 2. carnivores 3. omnivores.

Herbivores

Herbivores consume only producers (plants).

Carnivores

Carnivores consume other consumers (animals).

Omnivores

Omnivores consume both producers and consumers (plants and animals).

Decomposers

Decomposers break down waste and dead matter for energy.

Recyclers of Ecosystem

Decomposers are known as the recyclers of an ecosystem because they eat waste and recycle the nutrients into the soil for new life.

Predators

Predators hunt, kill and eat their food.

Prey

Prey are what predators eat.

Unbalanced Ecosystem

If predators are removed from the ecosystem, this will cause an unbalanced ecosystem.

Invasive Species

Invasive species are types of consumers or producers that get moved or placed in an ecosystem where it does not belong either on purpose or accident.

Non-native Species

Invasive species are non-native (not from the ecosystem).

Native Species

Species from the ecosystem are native.

Control of Invasive Species

If an ecosystem fails to limit or control the invasive species, the invasive species will overpopulate and harm the balance of an ecosystem.

Food Chain

A food chain is a model that shows how energy flows between living things in an ecosystem.

Food Web

A food web is a network of food chains by which nutrients and energy are passed from one living thing to another living thing.

Energy Needs of Organisms

All organisms need energy to grow, move, repair and produce.

Symbiosis

Symbiosis is a close long term relationship between two species.

Parasitism

Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship where one species is harmed and the other species is benefited.

Mutualism

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both species are benefitted.