dry mass of living organisms (the mass after all the water has been removed)

A box diagram that starts with a wide box (producer) and smaller and smaller sized boxes that sit above (consumers).The width of the box shows the biomass energy present at that level in the food chain.

flow diagram showing how energy is passed from one organism to a consumer

Types of waste made by organisms includes dead animals, dead plants, urine and faeces

an organism that makes its own food using the energy from the sun e.g. plants and algae. Producers are at the beginning of food chains and also absorb nutrients made from decaying animals, plants and waste.

any organism that needs to eat another organism (plant or animal) to survive

chemical reaction occurring in all plants cells that uses sunlight energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. The process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

chemical reaction occurring in all cells which converts glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide, water and heat energy. The process adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

animals that only eats meat

animals that only eats plants

organisms (such as earthworms and maggots) that eat dead or decomposing organisms

microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) that complete the decay process

three environmental conditions that speed up the decay process carried out by detritus feeders and decomposers

a reason why biomass decreases up the pyramid related to how much of the animal is eaten

a reason why biomass decreases up the pyramid that is related to animal faeces and urine

Animals that eat plants and meat

chemical reaction which converts fuels (such as coal, gas and petrol) and oxygen into carbon dioxide water and heat energy. The process adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

A reason why biomass decreases up the pyramid that is related to a chemical reaction that produces heat energy

a continuous cycle that shows how carbon is moved through the ecosystem by four main processes: photosynthesis, respiration, decay and combustion of fossil fuels

a container filled with soil containing microorganisms that decompose dead plants and animal waste. The container has holes to allow oxygen gas to enter. Respiration by the microorganisms releases heat and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The soil produced is reach in nutrients tthat can help plants to grow.

an organism that has no natural predators so it resides at the top of the food chain

the process that breaks down (decomposes) dead animals, dead plants and waste by detritivores and decomposers. the process also releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (respiration) but returns nutrients back to the ground to help plants grow.