It all starts with the SUNS ENERGY

• Plants are called producers because they create their own food through photosynthesis using energy from the Sun.
• Producers are the plants in the ecosystem.
  
• The plants provide oxygen for all animals.
  
• They also provide food for herbivores
  

• include all of the animals in the ecosystem.
  
• Animals provide the plants with carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis.
  
• Some consumers also help plants reproduce.
  
• For example the PLANT SEEDS seeds can stick to animals and be taken to a new location and deposited.
  

• DECOMPOSERS are critical to the ecosystem.
  
• this includes bacteria, mushrooms, worms, and other organisms that feed on DEAD organic matter.
  
• They return nutrients to the soil, which are used by plants to help them grow and thrive (grow strong)
  

The Arrows that are in the food chain/food web are very important. They show how the energy is transferred.

See how energy is transferred in the food chains below.

The original source of energy is the SUN. Sometimes it is pictured in the food chain sometimes it is not.

FOOD CHAINS START WITH THE PRODUCER and move to the other consumers

1. List the producers
2. List the consumers
   
3. List the herbivores
   
4. List the omnivores
   
5. List the carnivores
   
6. What are the top level consumers?
   
7. Where are the decomposers?
   
8. What would happen if you removed the weasel from the food web?