Interdependence Vocabulary

Front

Producer

Back

Makes (produces) its own food using the sun's energy

Foundation of all ecosystems

Front

Autotroph

Back

Makes (produces) its own food using the sun's energy

Foundation of all ecosystems

Front

Consumer

Back

Gets energy by eating other organisms or their remains

Cannot make their own food or energy

Front

Heterotroph

Back

Gets energy by eating other organisms or their remains

Cannot make their own food or energy

Front

Decomposer

Back

Breaks down dead plants, animals, and waste

Recycles nutrients back into the soil and air

Front

Trophic Level

Back

The step or position an organism has in a food chain, or energy pyramid

Front

First Order (Primary) Consumer

Back

Only eats plants or algae (producers)

Always an herbivore

Occupy the 2nd trophic level

Front

Second Order (Secondary) Consumer

Back

Eats primary consumers

Carnivore or omnivores

Occupy the third trophic level

Front

Third Order (Tertiary) Consumer

Back

Eats secondary consumers

Often apex predators

Occupy 4th trophic level

Front

Herbivore

Back

Only eats plants