Question

Flow of energy through various trophic levels in an ecosystem is unidirectional and non cyclic. Explain.

Answer 1

The energy from the sun reaches the food chain through the primary producers (plants). This energy is passed on through successive trophic levels in the food chain. The energy transfer in the food chain follows the 10 percent law where in only 10% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next successively. So, the movement of energy is only in one direction from lower to higher trophic level.

Answer 2

An ecosystem receives energy from the sun. It is trapped by the producers. As component of food , energy passes from producers to herbivores. There is no return or circulation of energy from herbivores to producers. Only 10% of energy available at the producer level reaches the herbivores. The rest isdissipated as heat energy. About 10% of the herbivore energy is passed into the mass of primary carnivores. The remaining is dissipated . 10% of the energy of primary carnivore reachessecondary carnivore. Energy is ultimately lost as heat. Therefore, flow of energy is unidirectional and non cyclic in an ecosystem.