Question

Answer the following question.
Define an ecosystem. Draw a block diagram to show the flow of energy in an ecosystem.

Answer 1

Ecosystem refers to the living and non-living components in an area and the interactions between them.

Energy flows across the trophic levels as shown in the diagram below, following the ten percent law. Only ten percent of the energy available to a trophic level is passed on to the next trophic level. The remaining is dissipated away. 


Assuming 10000 J is the energy available to the producers, then 1000 J will be available to the primary consumers, 100 J will be available to secondary consumers and 10 J will be available to tertiary consumers.