Energy in the Ecosystem Continued…

Energy 1st law of thermodynamics – energy can not be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Energy Flows Through the food chain or food web in an ecosystem, but how much energy is available?

Trophic Levels Each step in the transfer of energy through the ecosystem = trophic level

Energy loss Energy is lost as heat at each level. RULE OF 10 – Each level only has about 10% of the available energy from the lower level.

Why are there fewer organism at the top of the trophic pyramid? Not enough energy available to support a large population of tertiary or quaternary consumers. Very few ecosystems have a 4th or 5th level!