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ENERGY IN ECOSYSTEMS Population-all the organisms in an ecosystem that belong to the same species Community-all the populations in an ecosystem Producer-an organism that makes its own food using light (plants) Consumer-an organism that eats other organisms for energy (animals) Decomposer-an organism that feeds on the remains or wastes of other organisms (fungi, worms, bacteria) Food Chain-path of food energy in an ecosystem Food Web-several overlapping food chains Energy Pyramid-shows the flow of energy through a food chain As you move up, there are fewer organisms and less energy Niche-role that a species plays in an ecosystem Scavenger-an organism that feeds on dead or decaying organisms (vulture, crab, hyena, lobster) The Carbon Cycle The sun is important because it is the original source for almost all energy on Earth. In the diagram, the sun and carbon dioxide are used by plants. Plants are either eaten by animals, burned, or eventually become a fossil fuel. Animals release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. Burning of plants or fossil fuels releases carbon into the atmosphere. So, carbon is recycled over and over again. The total amount of carbon around Earth never changes!!!!!!!!!!! The Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen gas makes up 78% of Earth's atmosphere, some gets into soil. Plants and animals would not exist without nitrogen, it is a main ingredient of chlorophyll and our DNA. Decomposers break down dead plants and animals, this puts nitrogen into soil. Bacteria in soil "fixes" nitrogen so plants can use it. Animals eat plants to get nitrogen.