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Energy Cycling
Energy Flow within an EcosystemSun
ProducersPrimary
Consumer
Secondary/TertiaryConsumer
Decomposers
Heat Heat Heat
Heat
Chemical Energy
Chemical Energy
Solar Energy
Organic Waste
Organic Waste
Organic Waste
Heat
Decomposition/Decay
Decomposers are usually put at the bottom of a food web, but they are very important because they cycle biomass.
Decomposers
consume dead plants & animals (biomass) to recycle them back to nutrients for producers
Biomass• Biomass is organic matter left behind when organisms die or as a
byproduct of some industries.• Decomposers cycle biomass back into the food web by converting
this organic matter into carbon dioxide and nutrients.• Energy is released in the form of heat during this process.• Biomass is also considered a renewable energy source!
Nutrients that decomposers recycle back into the soil:
Water Carbon
Nitrogen Phosphorus
These are essential to all life but are only present in finite amounts throughout the world hence the need for cycling of nutrients in ecosystems
Decomposers: Bacteria
-Unicellular organisms
-Can break down just about any type of organic matter
-Live on land, air and sea
-1 gram of soil (about a paperclip’s weight) contains 40 million (40,000,000)bacterial cells!
Decomposers: Fungi
-Are not plants
-Does include molds
-Fungi release enzymes to decompose decaying material -Fungi grow on hyphae:unseen strands beneath the surface of the material they are decomposing
What are some things we could compost?• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0En-_BVbGc
Earthworms• Earthworms act as scavengers• Earthworms breathe through
their skin • They do not have eyes but do
have light & touch sensitive organs
• Earthworms are hermaphroditic which means they have both male and female organs
CompostingControlled Decomposition – in your backyard!
HumusMature compost ready to deliver the nutrients from decomposed materials back to producers.
Composting requires a mixture of –
1. Browns – carbon source
2. Greens – nitrogen source
3. Water
leaves, branches
grass,food scraps
4. Air
• Worms are nature’s ultimate recyclers!• Worm composing or vermiculture is just
like composting, only red worms do the decomposing. • Red worms can eat their weight in organic
matter every day.• They leave behind casings or casts that are
rich in nutrients.
worms
Why Compost?
Think of different reasons that the composting cycle is important to YOU!
Why Compost?Turn dead organic waste (biomass), like dead leaves and table scraps, into a healthy, natural fertilizer for your gardens and lawns. The humus can replenish nutrients in the soil. Results:• Higher crop yields• Enrich soil• Cleaner soil & air• Suppress plant diseases• Reduce waste without a
landfill!
The Big Picture:
Cycle of Matter
Organic Waste
DecomposersCompost
Replenish Soil Cycling of
Nutrients
