Food Chains

A food
chain tells
us what is
eaten by
what in an
ecosystem.

What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is all the
animals and the plants
in a habitat, together
with their environment.
An ecosystem provides
everything that the
animals and plants that
live there need.
A rock pool is an
ecosystem, and so is a
forest or a lake.

What is happening in this

food chain?
The insect
is eaten by
the frog.

What is
eaten by
the insect?

Many insects
feed on
nectar which
they gather
from flowers.

What might
the frog be
eaten by?

What does this food

chain show?
The plant is
eaten by the
slug.
The slug is
eaten by the
frog.
The frog is eaten
by the heron.

The arrow
means is
eaten by.
The insect
is eaten by
the frog.

Can you show a

different food chain?

This is a beach food

chain
Can you describe what is
happening?

Who can show another

food chain?

What did
each food
chain begin
with?

Yes!
Almost
every food
chain starts
with a
green plant.

 Plants are called

PRODUCERS
They produce
(make) their
own food and
provide food for
animals

 Animals are
called
CONSUMERS
They consume
(eat) other
animals or
plants

Animals that
hunt and eat
other animals
are called
PREDATORS

 Animals that
are hunted
and eaten by
other animals
are called
their
PREY

Can you name some

predators?

Can you name some

animals that are
prey?

Some animals can be

predators and prey. Can you
name any?
(Clue: The first slide showed
one.)

Energy flow
Each animal in the
food chain eats
another animal or
a plant in order to
gain energy.
The energy flow in
the ecosystem
keeps all of the
animals alive.

What people do
Sometimes, humans
cause problems for
the plants and animals
in an ecosystem.
Oil spills pollute the
sea and beaches.
Forests are cut down
to make way for
roads, and so that
land is available for
cattle to graze.

 What happens to
the other animals
and plants in a
food chain if one
or more members
of the chain are
removed?

Match the words and

phrases.

A food chain
produce
shows
Most food
rs
what is eaten
chains start
by what
with are
Plants
predat
Animals are
ors
prey
Animals that
hunt and eat
consum
others
are
called
Animals
that
are
caught ers
a
green
and eaten are called
plant

Excellent!