give scientific reason energy flow through an ecosystem is one way transport
Answers
Solar energy (an abiotic factor) is converted to chemical energy, when green plants convert carbon dioxide from the air and water from the earth, into glucose. Solar energy enters the ecosystem through the process of photosynthesis, which takes place in green plants, algae and bacteria, which are called primary producers.
These producers form the first tropic level of the pyramid. The producers obtain 100% of their energy from the sun. The plants are consumed by plant eating animals known as herbivores. Such herbivorous animals are the primary consumers, which form the next trophic level of the pyramid. The primary consumers are able to obtain only 10% of the total solar energy that was initially obtained by the plants.
Secondary consumers are those that feed on the primary consumers. They are the predators and form the next trophic level. They are either carnivorous or omnivorous. Carnivores only feed on other animals, while omnivores consume both animals and plants. The secondary consumers obtain only 1% of the solar energy.
The secondary consumers are eaten by the tertiary consumers, which get about 0.1% of the energy.
The final role in the energy chain is played by decomposers, whose primary function is to break down all organic matter belonging to both the producers and consumers, both the carcases, and undigested food excreted by these organisms. The decomposed organic matter is released back into the soil as nutrients or into the air as gases.
Energy loss at each level
Since lot of energy is lost at each level, typical food chains are limited by only 4 to 6 links each. Part of the energy received at each tropic level is lost as heat, both to keep warm and as a by-product on respiration. This metabolic heat is lost into the ecosystem, as waste. Energy is also lost when undigested food is excreted out by the consumers.
Answer:
Energy flow through an ecosystem is one way, because when the energy enters the plants (from the sun) during photosynthesis.This energy is then passed on from one organism to another in a food chain but it does not come back. Thus energy flow in an ecosystem is unindirectional.