Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Energy flow in ecosystems refers to the transfer of energy from one trophic level to another, starting from producers to various levels of consumers.

A producer is an organism, typically a plant or algae, that can make its own food through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

A primary consumer is an organism that eats producers; they are typically herbivores.

A secondary consumer is an organism that eats primary consumers; they can be carnivores or omnivores.

A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance, and its removal can lead to significant changes in the ecosystem.

An omnivore is an animal that eats both plants and animals.

A detritivore is an organism that feeds on dead organic material, breaking it down into smaller pieces.

A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem.

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web, representing the flow of energy and nutrients.

If the population of prey is eliminated, the population of predators will likely decrease due to lack of food.