Food chains and food webs describe how energy moves through an ecosystem. A food chain represents a single path of energy transfer between organisms, such as from berries to rabbits to foxes. A food web shows multiple interconnected food chains and demonstrates that most organisms obtain energy from many different sources. Producers, like plants, capture energy from the sun to start the process, while consumers obtain energy by eating other organisms, and decomposers break down waste to recycle nutrients and energy back into the system.

1. Food Chains and Food Webs How energy moves in an ecosystem OR who eats who!?

10. This energy pyramid is one way to show how energy moves. Producers are always at the bottom of the energy pyramid because they are the first things eaten. Notice that the amount of energy is lost, or decreases, as more organisms eat each other.

13. Here is an example of a food chain. Remember: Arrows are used to show where the energy is going .

14. Here is an example of a food web. Remember: Arrows are used to show where the energy is going .