Energy Flow in

Ecosystems: Understanding
the Transfer of Energy
Energy in Ecosystems

• Energy is the driving force of life

and is required for all biological
processes.
• In ecosystems, energy enters as
sunlight and is transformed and
transferred between organisms.
Energy flow
• A food chain is a linear sequence of
organisms through which nutrients and
energy pass as one organism eats another.
• An energy pyramid (sometimes called a
trophic pyramid or an ecological pyramid)
is a graphical representation, showing the
flow of energy at each trophic level in an
ecosystem.
• Trophic Level – refers to the hierarchal
levels in an ecosystem, in which organisms
share the same function and nutritional
relationship within the food chain.
Producers (Autotrophs)
• Producers, also known as
autotrophs, are organisms capable
of converting sunlight into
chemical energy through
photosynthesis.
• Examples include plants, algae,
and some bacteria.
• They form the base of the food
chain and are essential for energy
input in the ecosystem.
Primary Consumers
(Herbivores)
• Primary consumers, also
known as herbivores, are
organisms that feed directly
on producers.
• They obtain energy by
consuming plants or algae.
• Examples include deer,
rabbits, and grasshoppers.
Secondary Consumers
(Carnivores)
• Secondary consumers are
organisms that feed on
primary consumers.
• They obtain energy by
consuming herbivores.
• Examples include lions,
wolves, and snakes.
Tertiary Consumers (Top
Carnivores)
• Tertiary consumers are
organisms at the top of the food
chain.
• They feed on secondary
consumers.
• Examples include apex
predators such as eagles, sharks,
and tigers.
Decomposers (Detritivores)

• Decomposers, also known as

detritivores, play a vital role in
energy flow.
• They break down organic matter,
such as dead plants and animals,
into simpler compounds.
• Examples include bacteria,
fungi, and worms.
Energy Pyramids
• Energy pyramids represent the
flow of energy through different
trophic levels in an ecosystem.
• The pyramid shape demonstrates
that energy decreases as it moves
up the food chain.
• Producers have the most energy,
and energy availability decreases
with each successive trophic level.
Energy Efficiency and Loss
• Energy transfer between
trophic levels is inefficient.
• Only a small percentage of
energy is transferred from one
level to the next.
• The rest is lost as heat during
metabolism, movement, and
other physiological processes.
Ecological Pyramids
• Ecological pyramids depict the
relationships between trophic levels
using numbers, biomass, or energy.
• Pyramid of numbers represents the
number of organisms at each trophic
level.
• Pyramid of biomass represents the
total mass of organisms at each
trophic level.
• Pyramid of energy represents the
energy content at each trophic level.
Use the following
lists of organisms
in building up an
energy pyramid
and place them in
their proper
trophic level.