Energy Flow Through Ecosystems

Front

producers

Back

autotrophs, get energy from non-living sources

Front

consumers

Back

heterotrophs, get energy from living or once-living organisms

Front

herbivores

Back

eat only vegetarian

Front

carnivores

Back

eat only meat

Front

omnivore

Back

eat meat and vegetation

Front

detritivores (decomposers)

Back

eat dead materials

Front

photosynthesis

Back

source of energy = sunlight

Front

chemosynthesis

Back

source of energy = chemicals, like sulfur and methane

Front

food chains

Back

trace a single flow of energy and show trophic levels

Front

trophic levels

Back

the levels of nourishment in a food chain