Energy flow in the ecosystem, Science

Assignment Help:

Energy Flow in the Ecosystem

The principal source of  energy for any ecosystem is sunlight. All food materials that we or other animals consume are manufactured directly or indirectly by plants. Think of your breakfast, bread  is made of a cereal that  is produced from plant material, egg from hen which has fed on plant products; and milk from cow which has consumed grass or fodder derived from plants. In a nutshell, the energy that we obtain from plants either by  burning wood or by  eating them, represents the solar energy trapped by  the plants. We are dependent on the stored resources of solar energy. When we eat meat, we obtain energy that had been stored by plants several years before and then  taken up by an  animal like a goat through grazing. When we cut firewood for fuel, we obtain energy accumulated and stored by trees for perhaps a century or more. When we bum coal or petroleum, we obtain solar energy stored by  plant life, millions of years ago. Now  let us  trace the energy flow through an ecosystem. This is represented diagramatically in Fig.  

 

1349_Energy Flow in the Ecosystem.png

Notice that the energy from the producer to the last level has decreased considerably. The energy passed on to the next trophic level is represented by  letter E of  three different sizes, each by  its size indicates the comparative  amount of  energy. The arrows in the upper half of the diagram indicate  the loss of energy in the form of heat given out by different organisms. The arrows in the lower half  show the energy loss via the wastes secreted and energy trapped in dead bodies of  the organisms. Decomposers use these wastes and dead bodies as sources of  food and derive energy from them. They also give out some unused heat energy. Energy flowing through an ecosystem is thus first captured by  the producers. From the producers the energy passes to various consumers, via food. At  the end of the chain we  find that very  little energy is left for the last trophic level, because some energy is always lost in going from one level to the next. This loss of energy limits the number of trophic levelsin the ecosystem,  and so they are seldom more than five. This also clearly shows  that why  the steps  in a food chain are limited to four or five.  


Related Discussions:- Energy flow in the ecosystem

Atomic energy, Atomic energy: In view of the fast depletion of our no...

Atomic energy: In view of the fast depletion of our non-renewable resources like coal and petroleum, and because of pollution which power stations burning coal cause, there h

Objectives of electricity and water in a laboratory, Objectives After c...

Objectives After completing this exercise you should be able to: 1. Locate the source and control points of gas/electricity/water supply in the lab you have visited, 2. D

Explain hypothesis, What is a hypothesis? Ans) A hypothesis is a postu...

What is a hypothesis? Ans) A hypothesis is a postulation as to what could be the case; it is a suggestion as to something that precisely models and describes some aspect in re

Explain the heat loss and bacteriolytic action, Explain the Heat loss and B...

Explain the Heat loss and Bacteriolytic action Heat loss - This is found in dog, sheep etc.  Who do not have sweat glands? In very hot climate, they secrete more saliva (pant

Skeleton, which organs are protected by the skull

which organs are protected by the skull

Renaissance (1440-1540), Renaissance (1440-1540): The Renaissance was a...

Renaissance (1440-1540): The Renaissance was a revolutionary movement. It marked a definite and deliberate break with the past.  It swept away the medieval forms of economy, of

How the lungs work, How the lungs work Cut the bottom off a large bottl...

How the lungs work Cut the bottom off a large bottle. Fit a cork to the neck with a Y tube in it. On every of the lower limbs of the Y tie a rubber balloon or a number of small

Define the electrolytes in urine, Define the Electrolytes in Urine Elec...

Define the Electrolytes in Urine Electrolytes: Estimation of urine chloride, sodium, potassium is of significant importance when the electrolyte balance is disturbed.

Slight bleeding, Slight Bleeding : Frequently, the bleeding stops of its o...

Slight Bleeding : Frequently, the bleeding stops of its own accord or is easily controlled by local pressure. The procedure for first aid treatment is as follows: (1) Reassure

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd