How is energy transferred in an ecosystem?

Energy transfer in an ecosystem follows a specific pathway known as the trophic levels, reflecting the flow of energy from one group of organisms to another. Producers, primarily plants and photosynthetic organisms, convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. They are at the base of the food chain.

Primary consumers, typically herbivores, feed on producers and derive energy from them. This energy then moves to higher trophic levels, such as secondary consumers (carnivores or omnivores) that eat the primary consumers, and continues to pass up through the food web.

The correct process effectively demonstrates how energy is transferred in a linear sequence, where each trophic level relies on the previous one for energy. Understanding this flow helps illustrate the dependence of various organisms within an ecosystem, as well as the importance of each level in maintaining ecological balance.