Reading: Energy Flow and Trophic Levels

The Sun

Autotrophs

Primary Consumers

Decomposers

Autotrophs

Primary Consumers

Secondary Consumers

Tertiary Consumers

It decreases

It increases

It remains constant

It is recycled

Only 10% of energy is passed to the next trophic level

10% of energy is recycled

10% of energy is lost as heat

10% of energy is used for life processes

By the continuous flow of energy and recycling of nutrients

By the reuse of energy

By the increase of energy at higher trophic levels

By the elimination of decomposers

They return nutrients to the soil, water, or air

They consume autotrophs

They transfer energy to tertiary consumers

They produce sunlight

Less energy is available at higher trophic levels

More energy is available at higher trophic levels

Organisms at the top recycle energy

Organisms at the top produce their own energy

Autotrophs/producers, because they are at the base and have all the sunlight energy.

Tertiary consumers, because energy decreases at each trophic level due to the 10% Rule.

the sun because it is the main source of energy

all levels have the same amount of energy

rabbit

mushroom

grass

rock

They make their own food using sunlight.

They recycle nutrients for plants.

They eat other organisms for energy.

They are always at the bottom of the energy pyramid.