FOOD CHAINS AND FOOD WEBS IN AN AQAUTIC

ECOSYSTEM

What is the single-most important component that a food chain must

have in order to work?

Solar Radiation – AKA The Sun: It is the main source of energy.

What is Energy?

• Energy is the ability to do work

• Work is pushing or pulling anything from one place to another. (walking, writing, breathing, playing sports, running, etc.)

• All living things need energy in order to do all types of work.

Lets review what a food chain is and its components: Any ideas?

A food chain is when animals eat, to get energy, in order to survive. In eating plants or animals, energy is passed along from organism to organism.

What then is a food web?

A food web is a set of interconnected food chains

that pass energy and nutrients within an

ecosystem.

Animals like to eat different kinds of food just

like we do. Could you imagine eating only candy and pop your entire life? I’m sure it would just kill

you!

Try to find all the food chains in this food web?

LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT FOOD CHAINS AND WEBS IN A FRESH

WATER ECOSYSTEMIn the following pictures, you will have the opportunity to collect

information on many elements of a food web.

You should take notes of the name of the creature, make a quick sketch, and decide what it eats and what eats it.

When you are done, organize your notes into a food web picture and be prepared to use your web to help you answer questions at the end.

Food ChainLevel: Producer

Size: Small

Food ChainLevel:Herbivore

Size: Small

Food ChainLevel:Bottom Predator/Carnivore

Size: Small

Food ChainLevel:BottomPredator/Carnivore

Size: Small

Food ChainLevel:MiddlePredator

Size: Medium

Food ChainLevel:TopPredator

Size: Medium

Food ChainLevel:Producer

Size: Medium

Food ChainLevel:Herbivore

Size: Small

Food ChainLevel:BottomPredator

Size: Small

Food ChainLevel:Low Predator

Size: Small

Food ChainLevel:MiddlePredator

Size: Medium

Food ChainLevel:TopPredator

Size: Medium

Food ChainLevel:Producer

Size: Large

Food ChainLevel:Herbivore

Size: Small

Food ChainLevel:BottomPredator

Size: Small

Food ChainLevel:LowPredator

Size: Medium

Food ChainLevel:MiddlePredator

Size: Medium

Food ChainLevel:TopPredator

Size: Large

Assemble your notes and observations into a drawing of an ecosystem. (include biotic as well

as abiotic factors)

Use your notes to answer the following questions.

FOOD CHAINS AND WEBS IN FRESH WATER

Many people think that algae is a yucky sort of thing to have in a pond.

As a result, many people with a pond or creek, add the compound copper sulfate to the water to kill algae.

Using your food web diagram, predict how copper sulfate poisoning of algae would affect other creatures in the pond.

Write this in a 3-5 paragraph essay and be sure to include your food web diagram in the essay.