Vocabulary - Energy Pyramids and Trophic Levels

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Energy Pyramid

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Diagram showing energy flow in an ecosystem at each trophic level

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Trophic Level

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Position in a food chain or web

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Producers

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First trophic level, usually plants

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Primary Consumers

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Herbivores, second trophic level

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Secondary Consumers

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Carnivores or omnivores, third trophic level

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Tertiary Consumers

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Top predators, fourth trophic level

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Energy Transfer Efficiency

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Typically 10% between trophic levels

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Decomposers

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Break down dead material, recycle nutrients

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Biomass

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Total mass of organisms at a trophic level

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Pyramid of Numbers

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Displays number of organisms at each trophic level