Ecosystem

• In an ecosystem, there are two main components: abiotic and biotic factors
• Abiotic factors are the non-living parts of the ecosystem, like sunlight, temperature, water, soil, and air.
• Biotic factors are the living organisms such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.
• Producers, like plants and algae, are the foundation of the food chain
• Producers use sunlight and nutrients from the environment to produce food from photosynthesis
• Producers convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose.
• Producers are also known as autotrophs because they can make their own food
• Consumers are animals that obtain energy by consuming other organisms
• Consumers can be classified into different levels based on what they eat
• Herbivores are consumers that eat plants
• Carnivores are consumers that eat other animals
• Omnivores are consumers that eat both plants and animals
• Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, play an important role in breaking down dead organisms and waste.
• Decomposers obtain energy by decomposing organic matter and returning nutrients back to the environment
• Decomposers complete the cycle of energy and nutrients by breaking down dead organisms and releasing nutrients back into the environment