How does matter flow in ecosystems?

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How does matter flow in ecosystems?

• Science
• Chapter 3, Lesson 3

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Water Ecosystems

• Almost ¾ of Earths surface is covered with
  water.
• Many organisms live in water ecosystems.
• Organisms that live in saltwater habitats are
  different that those that live in freshwater
  habitats.

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• Matter and energy flow through an ecosystem.
• Plants use minerals from the soil and gases from
  the air.
• Herbivores get the matter and energy they need
  from the plants they eat.
• Carnivores get the matter and energy they need
  from the animals they eat.

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How Matter Flows Through a Food Web

• A food chain shows one possible path along which
  energy and matter can move through an ecosystem.
• Many of the producers and consumers are a part of
  more than one food chain.

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Food Web
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Decay in Ecosystems

• All living things eventually die and rot, or
  decay.\
• Without decay, dead organisms and wastes would
  pile up and interfere with the habitats of living
  things.
• During decay, scavengers feed on the remains of
  the dead organisms. Then decomposers break down
  the dead organisms. The process returns minerals
  and nutrients to the ecosystem.

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Rate of Decay

• Factors that Affect Decay
• Warm Temperatures
• Ex. Put our food in the refrigerator.
• Moisture
• Ex. Cover our food in the refrigerator.

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Assignment

• Read Ch. 3, Lessons 1-3.
• Do Lesson 3 worksheet.
• Open book quiz on Thursday, Oct. 29th.