This document outlines the key producers and consumers in ecosystems. Primary producers, including photoautotrophs like plants and algae that perform photosynthesis, and chemoautotrophs in hydrothermal vents, produce their own food. Consumers are heterotrophs that obtain energy by eating other organisms, filling roles like carnivores, scavengers, decomposers that break down dead material, detritivores that feed on detritus, herbivores that eat plants, and omnivores with a varied diet.

1. Producers
and
Consumers

2. A. Primary Producers
Autotrophs: produce their own
food and food for others using
chemicals or light

3. 1. Photoautotroph (light)
Do photosynthesis:
Use light energy, water, and
carbon dioxide
Make Carbohydrates (sugar) and
oxygen
Photosynthetic producers:
Land: PLANTS
Water: ALGAE
Salt marshes: CYANOBACTERIA

4. 2. Chemoautotrophs
Do chemosynthesis
Use energy in chemicals to
create carbohydrates
Ex. Hydrothermal vents

5. B. Consumers
Heterotrophs (consumers):
eat other organisms to obtain
energy

6. 1. Carnivores
 kill and eat other animals

7. 2. Scavenger
consume the carcasses of
dead animals

8. 3. Decomposer
 Eat dead, decaying material
 Create detritus
 small pieces of dead and
decaying plant and animal
remains

9. 4. Detritivore
Feeds on detritus (small
particles of dead stuff)

10. 5. Herbivores
eating plant leaves, roots,
seeds, or fruits

11. 6. Omnivore
Eats a variety of different foods
Plants
Animals