Chaparral Ecosystem: Food Chains, Webs, and Energy

Directions:
Use the following images from a Chaparral ecosystem to create a food chain, food web and energy pyramid.

Objectives:
1. Identify organisms and their trophic level
2. Show energy flow in a food chain
3. Show a food web and illustrate the direction of energy flow.
4. Describe how pollutants can be transferred within a food web.
5. Predict what might happen if certain organisms are removed from the food web.

Procedure:
1. Cut out the pictures and sort them according to energy level.
2. Color the pictures: Energy sources= Yellow, Producers= Green, Herbivores= Blue, 1st order carnivores= Orange, 2nd order carnivores= Red, Scavengers= Purple, Decomposers= Brown. NOTE: you do not have to stick with this scheme…just be sure you identify what color scheme you choose.

3. Create a food chain and show the direction of energy flow. ____ (teacher initials)

a. Write the food chain here:

4. Create an energy pyramid using the organisms and label the different trophic levels ____(teacher initials). Draw the pyramid and list the organisms at each level.

5. Create a rough draft food web and sketch in your arrows. Get approval before pasting them down. ______(teacher initials).

6. Once your teacher has approved paste your organisms on a piece of construction paper and draw in the arrows showing energy flow. Read the bottom of each of your organisms to help you. You must have at least 2 arrows from each organism.

Answer the questions below regarding your food chains and food web:

1. On your food web draw a dashed line in between the producers, 1st consumer, 2nd consumer and tertiary consumer. _____________(teacher initials)

2. What do the arrows represent? How much energy is transferred?