STRAND 3 SYSTEMS

SUB-STRAND 3 ECOSYSTEM
B8.3.3.1.1 Explore the feeding relationships within an ecosystem
Discuss how life on earth will be like without the sun.
Life on Earth would not be possible without the sun. The sun provides heat and light, which are
essential for the survival of all living organisms. It plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, the process
by which plants convert sunlight into energy. Without the sun, plants would not be able to produce
oxygen, and the food chain would collapse. Additionally, the sun's gravitational pull keeps the Earth in
its orbit, maintaining stable temperatures and climate conditions. In summary, life on Earth would not
be sustainable without the sun.
Effects on Earth without the sun:
1. No light: Without the sun, it would be very dark on Earth all the time.
2. No heat: The Earth would become very cold without the sun's warmth.
3. No plants: Plants need sunlight to grow, so there would be no trees, flowers, or grass.
4. No food: Without plants, animals wouldn't have anything to eat, and we wouldn't have food either.
5. No oxygen: Plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis, so without them, there would be less
oxygen in the air.
6. No seasons: The sun helps create different seasons, like summer and winter. Without it, there
would be no changes in weather throughout the year.
A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms, where each organism is a source of food for the next
organism in the chain. It represents the flow of energy and nutrients from one organism to another in a
specific ecosystem. A food chain typically starts with a producer, such as a plant, which is then
consumed by a primary consumer, which is then consumed by a secondary consumer, and so on. It
helps us understand the transfer of energy and the relationships between different organisms in a
simplified manner.
Consumers are organisms that obtain their energy by consuming other organisms. They are also
known as heterotrophs, as they cannot produce their own food through photosynthesis like producers
(such as plants) can. Consumers can be classified into different categories based on their feeding
habits. For example, herbivores are consumers that eat only plants, carnivores are consumers that
eat other animals, and omnivores are consumers that eat both plants and animals. Decomposers,
such as bacteria and fungi, are also considered consumers as they obtain energy by breaking down
dead organic matter. These different types of consumers play important roles in maintaining the
balance of energy and nutrients within an ecosystem.
Primary consumers are organisms that directly consume producers, such as plants or algae. They
are also known as herbivores. examples of primary consumers include rabbits, deer, and cows. They
primarily feed on plants and are herbivores.
Secondary consumers are organisms that feed on primary consumers. They are also known as
carnivores or omnivores. Examples of secondary consumers include wolves, lions, and bears. They
feed on primary consumers, such as rabbits or deer, and are carnivores or omnivores.
Tertiary consumers are organisms that feed on secondary consumers. They are usually apex
predators and are at the top of the food chain. Tertiary consumers are often apex predators, such as
sharks, eagles, or tigers. They feed on secondary consumers and are at the top of the food chain.
1. Herbivores: These are consumers that eat only plants. They obtain their energy by consuming
leaves, stems, fruits, or other parts of plants. Examples include cows, rabbits, and deer.
2. Carnivores: These are consumers that eat other animals. They obtain their energy by consuming
the flesh of other animals. Examples include lions, wolves, and snakes.

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3. Omnivores: These are consumers that eat both plants and animals. They obtain their energy by
consuming a combination of plant and animal matter. Examples include humans, bears, and
raccoons.
4. Scavengers: These are consumers that feed on dead animals or decaying organic matter. They
obtain their energy by consuming the remains of other organisms. Examples include vultures, hyenas,
and some species of beetles.
5. Decomposers: These are consumers that obtain their energy by breaking down dead organic
matter. They play a crucial role in recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. Examples include
bacteria and fungi.
There are a few rules to keep in mind when constructing a food chain:
1. The food chain always starts with a producer, which is usually a plant or algae that can produce its
own food through photosynthesis.
2. The primary consumers, which are herbivores, feed on the producers.
3. The secondary consumers, which are carnivores or omnivores, feed on the primary consumers.
4. Tertiary consumers, which are often apex predators, feed on the secondary consumers.
5. Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down dead organisms and organic matter,
returning nutrients to the soil or water and completing the food chain.
Here are four different examples of food chains:
1. Grass → grasshopper → frog → snake → hawk
In this food chain, grass is the producer, grasshopper is the primary consumer, frog is the secondary
consumer, snake is the tertiary consumer, and hawk is the apex predator.
2. Algae → zooplankton → small fish → large fish → shark
In this marine food chain, algae is the producer, zooplankton is the primary consumer, small fish is
the secondary consumer, large fish is the tertiary consumer, and shark is the apex predator.
3. Acacia tree → giraffe → lion
In this african savanna food chain, the acacia tree is the producer, giraffe is the primary consumer,
and lion is the secondary consumer.
4. Sunflower → bee → bird → fox
In this food chain, sunflower is the producer, bee is the primary consumer, bird is the secondary
consumer, and fox is the tertiary consumer.

A food web is a representation of the feeding relationships between different organisms in an

ecosystem. It shows how energy and nutrients flow through the ecosystem, with arrows indicating the
direction of energy transfer from one organism to another. It includes producers, consumers, and
decomposers, and helps us understand the complex interactions and dependencies between different
species in an ecosystem.
The rules for constructing a food web include the following:
1. Identify the organisms: Start by identifying the different organisms that are part of the ecosystem
you are studying. This includes both producers (plants) and consumers (animals).
2. Determine the feeding relationships: Next, determine the feeding relationships between the
organisms. This involves understanding who eats whom in the ecosystem.
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3. Create the web: Once you have identified the organisms and their feeding relationships, you can
start constructing the food web. Use arrows to show the flow of energy from one organism to another.
Arrows should point from the organism being eaten to the organism doing the eating.
4. Include all trophic levels: Make sure to include all trophic levels in the food web, from primary
producers (plants) to primary consumers (herbivores) to secondary consumers (carnivores) and so
on.
5. Consider energy flow: Remember that energy flows through the food web, starting from the sun and
moving through the different organisms. Show this energy flow in your food web.

Importance of food web and food chain

1. Shows how plants and animals are connected
2. Helps maintain balance in ecosystems
3. Ensures all living things have enough to eat
4. Demonstrates the interdependence of different species

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