Concept of Energy Flow in an Ecosystem

Concept of Energy Flow in an Ecosystem   

Do you imagine there is an energy flow in our ecosystem that flows around us in all forms and sorts? Well, we can see, smell, hear, and at times feel these energies that provide the capacity to do any work. This energy exists in the universe in two primary forms, i.e., potential and kinetic. While anything is at rest, the stored energy that enables it to perform is potential. But, kinetic energy is the one that free flows in bodies at motion. The energy is a universal entity; it can neither be created nor be destroyed but can be converted from one form to another. For example, the chemical energy stored in the food of the living organisms undergoes conversion into the potential energy.

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Important Laws of Thermodynamics of Energy 

The process of energy flow in an ecosystem is a uni-directional process. The energy that we witness around us in different mediums tends to change from one form to another to maintain the chain of energy flow. Here are two primary laws of thermodynamics of energy.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The first law states that energy can neither be created nor be destroyed; it can only change from one form of energy to another. For example, Light energy cannot be created or destroyed- it changes from light to heat or other forms.

Second Law of Thermodynamics 

The second law for the energy flow in an ecosystem states that a non-random energy like mechanical, chemical, etc., degrades into heat energy while converting. Degradation lowers the capacity to do work due to energy loss. Thus, the energy flows from its higher to the lower level. 

For example, Almost 57% of the sun’s energy in the atmosphere and scattered in the space. 35% of its heat energy loses itself via water and land areas. Hence, the resultant is too low. 

How Does Energy Flow in an Ecosystem Take Place

As of now, you have sound knowledge of what energy is, the laws of thermodynamics, etc. You can understand the whole phenomenon of the energy flow with the help of these concise processes. The ecosystem holds a close network of living and non-living organisms living together ad work things out. This energy used in it is of two primary forms, such as radiant energy and fixed energy. The former is a form of electromagnetic energy, and the latter is potential energy found in organic substances to break down energy content. 

Main Members of the Ecosystem

In the energy flow of mechanism, certain characters look into the process. The first member is an autotroph. These are the organisms that use inorganic substances to produce organic molecules. The second ones are heterotrophs, which get energy from abiotic sources. The other ones are consumers and decomposers. The former consumes energy from loving matter while the latter consumes from the dead matter. 

The Complete Energy Flow Mechanism 

When the green surfaces of the plants receive the light, the process set starts, the fallen light energy transforms to get converted into chemical energy, which in turn find storage in the organic products. Then, the herbivores consume these plants as food and convert chemical energy into kinetic energy. Also, the degradation of energy takes place into heat energy. This chain of energy loss will continue as the carnivores eat herbivores, and thus, the degradation occurs. 

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 Various Modes of Energy Flow in an Ecosystem

  • This energy flow in an ecosystem follows up on the trophic levels. As the tropic level increases, the energy degradation takes place. 
  • The second mode of energy flow is through the food chain. The trapped solar energy converts into chemical energy. The transfer of energy via food levels of an organism is a repeated process that follows up eating and is further eaten by others. 
  • The third method is via the food web, i.e., the connecting network of several food chains. This method provides alternative pathways for the energy to flow and thus forms a stable community of living organisms. 
  • The fourth method is the ecological pyramid. This path of energy flow indicates that with each step up in a food chain, a fraction of potential energy is lost. The longer the food chain, the lesser energy will reach the endpoint. This degradation of energy that takes place forms the ecological pyramid.  

Pyramid of Energy in an Ecosystem

The energy flow in an ecosystem quantifies using the pyramid of energy. This pyramid showcases the degradation of energy. The amount of energy at the producer level is always greater than the successively higher levels. These higher levels in a pyramid are quite efficient in energy transfer but the loss of energy via heat and respiration. The amount of energy collected and the amount of energy utilized in a tropic level is proportional to the amount of energy that passes to the next trophic level. This ratio of the output energy to the input energy is ecological efficiency.

 This way, the energy flow in an ecosystem follows up the complete consumption and production mechanism.