B.13B Ecosystem Stability

B. 13B Ecosystem Stability

By Marilyn Romo

Food Chain- Shows a transfer of energy
Energy Pyramids- (Ecological Pyramids) Shows the trophic levels of organisms in a food web

Energy stored by the producers passes through an ecosystem along a food chain​

ALL energy originates from the sun

Flow of Matter and Energy

Fill in the Blank

All energy originates from the...

In an Energy Pyramid, 10% of each energy passes to each trophic level

Energy is lost as heat between each trophic level

​Flow of Matter and Energy

Multiple Choice

If an a plant contains 34,570 joules of energy, how much energy would a primary consumer receive?

• 34,570 J

• 34.5 J

• 3,457 J

• 345,700

Autotrophs

Herbivores

Herbivores and
carnivores

Open Ended

Recap: Producers are considered ​ (a) ________because they make their own food from the sun. ​ (b)________   have the most amount of energy. As we move up the energy pyramid, only ​ (c) ________  of the energy is passed on to the next organism. The rest of the energy is lost as ​ (d)________   . Dead organisms can be recycled back to the environment by ​ (e)________   , such as fungi.

Multiple Choice

Choose the answer that correctly states the order of trophic levels starting from the level with the most energy.

• Producers, Primary Consumers, Secondary Consumers, Tertiary Consumers
• Tertiary Consumers, Secondary Consumers, Primary Consumers, Producers
• Secondary Consumers, Tertiary Consumers, Producers, Primary Consumers
• Primary Consumers, Producers, Tertiary Consumers, Secondary Consumers

Multiple Choice

• F

• H

• G

• J

Multiple Choice

• A

• B

• C

• D

A stable ecosystem maintains biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and consistent energy flow.











Events like deforestation, pollution, or habitat destruction alter nutrient availability.

​

Ecosystem Stability

Disruptions to Matter Cycling

Eco- Mafia

♻️ Roles: (Use small, simple icons next to each role)

• Protectors: Producers 🌿, Herbivores 🦓, Predators 🐺, Decomposers 🍄

• Disruptors: Polluters 🏭, Wildfires 🔥, Invasive Species 🐍

🔎 How It Works:

1. Night Phase: Disruptors eliminate, predators investigate, decomposers protect.

2. Day Phase: Students discuss the impact on the ecosystem and vote to eliminate a suspect.

💡 Key Discussion Questions:

• How does removing a trophic level affect energy flow?

• What happens when decomposers are removed?

• Can the ecosystem remain stable after multiple disruptions?