How do you identify the components of a food chain in an ecosystem? Procedure: 1. Read an article about Monfort Bat Cave. 2. Read the following questions and write your answer on the space provided. The Island of Samal, part of Davao del Norte Province, is off the coast of Mindanao. In this island is the Monfort Bat Cave which is approximately 245 feet (75 meters) long and has five entrances. Bats cover 75 percent of its ceilings and walls. An estimated 1.8 million bats, the largest known population of Geoffroy s rousette fruit bats in the world, are overloading Monfort Bat Cave on the Philippines Samal Island. Photos courtesy of Rodolfo S. Treyes, UP NISMED Figure 1. Geoffroy s rousette fruit bats clinging on walls and ceiling of the cave Geoffroy s rousette fruit bats feed on fruit and nectar. Their role as pollinators and seed dispersers is essential in sustaining Philippine forests, including such important commercial fruits as durian. Each bat consumes 1 to 3 times its body weight nightly in fruit and nectar. This colony could consume 550 tons (500,000 kilograms) of nectar from durian and other trees, pollinating an incredible number of flowers. Worldwide, cave-dwelling bats are in alarming decline due to human disturbance and destruction of their cave roosts. In some areas, including Samal Island, bats are captured and eaten by humans. Colonies like the one in Monfort Bat Cave are now rare and in urgent need of protection. Their loss would endanger the health of forests and human economies. The bat s colony should be able to survive natural predators - crows, rats, 10-foot (3- meter) pythons and occasional monitor lizards - just as bat populations do elsewhere. Untamed dogs and cats, however, also seem to do bat hunting at Monfort Bat Cave. Bat Conservation International, www.batcon.org. Used with permission. 3. Complete the table below to classify the organisms in Monfort Bat Cave. Table 1. Organisms found in Monfort Bat Cave Plants Animals Question 1. What group/s of organisms are considered as producers? Question 2. What part of the durian trees and other trees served as food for the bats? Question 3. The population of cave-dwelling bats is declining because they are being eaten by other organisms. What are these organisms that feed on bats? Question 4. Among the organisms that feed on bats, are there organisms that possibly feed on the predators of bats? Yes No 4. Divide the organisms into the following categories as shown in the table below: Table 2. Categories of organisms living in Monfort Bat Cave Producers 1st Order Consumer 2nd Order Consumer 5. Based on Table 2, construct a food chain with at least 3 organisms representing the producer, 1st order consumer and 2nd order consumer. Energy from the sun Producer 1st Order Consumer 2nd Order Consumer Question 5. You have just analyzed the transfer of energy by categorizing the organisms according to their trophic level. In your own words, describe a food chain.