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Food Web Energy Flow

Energy in an ecosystem flows unidirectionally from the sun to producers, then through various levels of consumers, and finally to decomposers. Producers convert sunlight into chemical energy, which is then passed through herbivores, carnivores, and ultimately recycled by decomposers. Only about 10% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level, limiting the number of levels in a food chain and highlighting the importance of energy flow for ecological balance.

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16 views1 page

Food Web Energy Flow

Energy in an ecosystem flows unidirectionally from the sun to producers, then through various levels of consumers, and finally to decomposers. Producers convert sunlight into chemical energy, which is then passed through herbivores, carnivores, and ultimately recycled by decomposers. Only about 10% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level, limiting the number of levels in a food chain and highlighting the importance of energy flow for ecological balance.

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58356
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Food Web and Energy Flow in an Ecosystem

Sun
↓
■ Plants (Producers)
↓ ↓
■ Insects ■ Rabbit
↓ ↓
■ Frog ■ Fox
↓ ■
■ Snake ■ Eagle
■ ■
■ Decomposers

In an ecosystem, energy flows in a unidirectional manner—from the sun to producers,


then through various levels of consumers, and finally to decomposers.

Sunlight is the primary source of energy. Producers, such as green plants and algae,
absorb sunlight and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
They form the base of the food web.

Primary consumers (herbivores) like rabbits and insects feed on producers and obtain
stored energy. Secondary consumers (small carnivores) such as frogs and foxes eat
herbivores. Tertiary consumers (top carnivores) like snakes and eagles feed on
secondary consumers. Decomposers (bacteria, fungi) break down dead organisms and
recycle nutrients into the soil, helping producers grow again.

At each level, only about 10% of the energy is transferred to the next trophic level.
The remaining 90% is lost as heat or used up in metabolic processes like movement,
growth, and reproduction.

This gradual loss of energy limits the number of trophic levels in a food chain.
A food web represents interconnected food chains and shows how different organisms
are linked through feeding relationships.

Thus, the flow of energy in an ecosystem is essential for maintaining life and
balance in nature.

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