Energy Flow
Energy flow begins when producers absorb solar energy for the process of photosynthesis.
Energy flows through an ecosystem via photosynthesis, as organic nutrients pass from one component of the ecosystem to another, such as when an herbivore eats a plant or a carnivore eats an herbivore, only a portion of the original amount of energy is transferred.
Eventually the energy dissipates into the environment as heat.
Only about 10% of the food energy taken in by an herbivore is passed on to carnivores.
A large portion goes to detritus feeders (decomposers) via defecation, excretion and death, and a large portion is used for cellular respiration.
Energy flows through an ecosystem via photosynthesis, as organic nutrients pass from one component of the ecosystem to another, such as when an herbivore eats a plant or a carnivore eats an herbivore, only a portion of the original amount of energy is transferred.
Eventually the energy dissipates into the environment as heat.
Only about 10% of the food energy taken in by an herbivore is passed on to carnivores.
A large portion goes to detritus feeders (decomposers) via defecation, excretion and death, and a large portion is used for cellular respiration.