Question

Give reasons Energy flow through an ecosystem is ‘one way’.

Answer 1

• The Sun is the most important source of energy in any ecosystem.
• Green plants of the ecosystem store some amount of solar energy in the form of food.
• Before reaching the decomposers, this energy is passed on from one trophic level to the next.
• Decomposers dissipate some amount of energy in the form of heat.
• However, no part of the energy ever returns to the Sun. Hence, energy flow through an ecosystem is ‘one way’.