Question

Give an account of energy flow in an ecosystem.

Answer 1

Photosynthesis fixes carbon from the abiotic environment and incorporates into the biological compounds of producers; food chain transfers the fixed carbon to different trophic levels. Plants absorb 2% of sun energy for photosynthesis. With each trophic level, only 10% energy is transferred and 90% is lost as heat in respiration. The longer the food chains, the lesser is the energy transfer efficiency. To increase the energy transfer efficiency, food chains must be smaller and consumers should directly feed on producers.