Transcript The role of Producers in an Ecosystem

The Role of Producers in an
Ecosystem
 Science 8
 9/5/07
What is a Producer ?
 Producer(explained)
Are green plants.
 Producers are
responsible for
producing all of the
energy in the
ecosystem.
Energy Producers…How?
 Green planets are able to
take radiant energy from
the Sun transform it to a
form that can be used by
plants and animals.
 Consumers(animals) can
not do this. Animals have
to go out and actively find
food. Plants make their
food.
Energy Producers… How?
 Plants make their food by a process called
photosynthesis.
 Photosynthesis is the most important
chemical reaction that takes place on the
planet. Without it other life would be
impossible.
Photosynthesis
 Photosynthesis(explained)
green plants take water
from the ground, carbon
dioxide from the air and
radiant energy from the
Sun and produce
carbohydrates(food for
plants and animals) and
oxygen.
Producers
 Every ecosystem has
to have producers.
Producers
 Producers(green
plants)produce food
for consumers in all
their parts.
 seeds, flowers, leaves,
wood, roots and fruits
are eaten by
consumers
Producers
 Besides food and
oxygen producers
provide habitats and
places to hide for
animals.
Producers in a Pond Ecosystem
 The main producer in the
pond ecosystem is
phytoplankton or algae.
 Phytoplankton are tiny
free floating green plants
in the water column. Give
the pond its greenish
color.
 Major source of food and
oxygen in the pond
ecosystem.
Producers in the Pond
Ecosystem
 Also provide a hiding
place/cover for many
small animals in the
pond
 Other producers:
Water Plants: pickerel
weed and cattails
 Terrestrial Plants:
willows, grasses