Ecosystems NC5.L.2.2 (Part B)

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with their physical environment (soil, water, air) in a specific area.

A producer is an organism, usually a plant, that makes its own food through photosynthesis using sunlight.

A consumer is an organism that cannot make its own food and must eat other organisms (plants or animals) to obtain energy.

A decomposer is an organism, such as bacteria or fungi, that breaks down dead organic material, returning nutrients to the soil.

Producers convert sunlight into energy, forming the base of the food chain and providing energy for consumers.

A first-level consumer is an organism that eats producers; for example, a rabbit that eats grass.

Consumers provide nutrients to decomposers when they die, allowing decomposers to break down their bodies and recycle nutrients.

A food chain is a linear sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem.

The sun provides the energy necessary for producers to create food through photosynthesis.

If prey populations decrease, predator populations are likely to decrease as well due to lack of food.