Question

Indicate the flow of energy in an ecosystem. why is it unidirectional

Answer 1

At the first trophic level, primary producers (plants, algae, and some bacteria) use solarenergy to produce organic plant material through photosynthesis. ... Decomposers process large amounts of organic material and return nutrients to the ecosystem in inorganic form, which are then taken up again by primary producers.

example ---> plants(producers) ----> grasshopper ( consumer 1)--->frog (consumer 2)--->snake ( consumer 3)------> decomposers ---> plants


The flow of energy in the ecosystem is unidirectional. The energy enters the plants (from the sun) through photosynthesis during the making of food. ... Thus, there is a progressive decline (gradual reduction) in the amount of energy available as we go from producer level to the higher trophic levels of organisms.

Answer 2

The flow of energy generally is Sun -> producer -» herbivore —> carnivore. Since the flow is progressively from one trophic level to another and does not revert back, it is said to be unidirectional. Further, the available energy decreases in the higher trophic levels making it impossible for energy to flow in the reverse direction.