Pyramid of Energy
The pyramid of energy is a graphical representation of the energy flow at each successive trophic level in an ecosystem. It illustrates that the amount of energy decreases as it is transferred from lower to higher trophic levels.
Description:
- The base of the pyramid is always the producers (plants), which have the largest amount of energy captured from the sun through photosynthesis.
- The next level consists of primary consumers (herbivores).
- Above them are secondary consumers (carnivores/omnivores).
- At the top are tertiary consumers (top carnivores).
- The pyramid of energy is always upright and never inverted, because energy transfer follows the 10% Law.
- According to the 10% Law, only about 10% of energy is passed to the next trophic level, while the rest is lost as heat or remains unavailable.
Diagram:
