Food Webs
Energy Flows & Nutrients Cycle
In this guide we explore how organisms are connected by movement of energy and nutrients.
Video Overview
We will begin with this guide overview video.
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Food Webs Lecture Guide Contents
This guide and lecture material are assessed on the weekly quiz.
Food Webs Objectives
Functional Groups
Describe the ecosystem roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers; and provide examples of organisms representing different functional groups.
Biomass
Explain how energy is lost at each trophic (feeding) level; discuss the parts of a seed and the process of germination; and provide examples of commercially significant seeds.
Energy & Nutrients
Describe how energy flows and nutrients cycle within a food web; classify different types of dry and fleshy fruits; and provide examples of different forms of fruit and seed dispersal.
Decomposers
Explain the role of decomposers in nutrient cycling; define and provide examples of scavengers and detritivores; and list the characteristics and functions of bacteria and fungi.