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The plants and other green organisms produce the food for the web. But they need to use some of the energy for growth and for reproduction.
That leaves about 10% for the next level. That level also needs energy for growth and reproduction, so that leaves 1% for the third level.
Since this works this way, each level is smaller and smaller. The number at each level competes for food with the others in that level.
So there is only one type of hawk on the top level, for example. The larger number of producers (first level), the more species on the next levels.
If the first level is low in numbers, there will be fewer in the levels above. Some poor ecosystems have only 3 levels. The very best have 5.

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Why are matter and engery transferred through an ecosytem?

Energy must be transformed within ecosystems so that it is made available to other organisms. Energy is produced by producing organisms at the lowest trophic level, and then moves up to higher trophic levels to other consuming organisms.


Organisms in an ecosystem are linked together by?

Organisms in an ecosystem are linked together by various relationships such as food webs, where energy and nutrients are transferred between different species. These interactions help maintain the balance and stability of the ecosystem. Additionally, competition, predation, and symbiotic relationships play crucial roles in connecting organisms within an ecosystem.


Why was the ecological pyramid first created?

The ecological pyramid was first created to visually represent the trophic levels in an ecosystem and show the flow of energy and biomass from one level to another. It provides a simple way to understand the energy relationships within an ecosystem and how energy is transferred and transformed as it moves through different organisms.


How is food chain related with ecosystem?

A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms where each organism consumes the one below it and is consumed by the one above it. Within an ecosystem, food chains help illustrate the flow of energy as organisms interact with each other. They demonstrate the intricate connections between different species and how energy is transferred from one organism to another.


How can there be an ecosystem within an ecosystem?

An ecosystem within an ecosystem can exist when a smaller, self-contained environment forms within a larger ecosystem. This can happen through interactions among different species that create a unique microhabitat with its own set of species and interactions. These mini-ecosystems can have their own food web, energy flow, and nutrient cycling processes.

Related Questions

Which of the following makes the best analogy to describe the movement of energy in an ecosystem?

The flow of energy in an ecosystem can be best described as a food chain or a food web. This analogy illustrates how energy is transferred from one organism to another through consumption and indicates the direction of energy flow within the ecosystem.


An ecologist is studying how energy is transferred between organisms within an aquatic ecosystem Which model is most useful for the ecologists research?

the food chain


In an ecosystem what are the point of energy for new energy?

In an ecosystem, the primary source of new energy comes from the sun through the process of photosynthesis carried out by plants. This energy is then transferred through the food chain as organisms consume other organisms. This transfer of energy sustains life within the ecosystem.


What is a simple model that shows how energy is transferred from organism to organism within an ecosystem?

A simple model that shows how energy is transferred within an ecosystem is the trophic pyramid. It illustrates how energy flows from producers (plants) to primary consumers (herbivores), then to secondary consumers (carnivores), and finally to tertiary consumers (top predators). As you move up the pyramid, each level receives only about 10% of the energy from the level below it, representing the energy loss that occurs at each trophic level.


Why are matter and engery transferred through an ecosytem?

Energy must be transformed within ecosystems so that it is made available to other organisms. Energy is produced by producing organisms at the lowest trophic level, and then moves up to higher trophic levels to other consuming organisms.


How does the energy flow chart in an ecosystem illustrate the transfer of energy between different organisms and trophic levels?

The energy flow chart in an ecosystem shows how energy is transferred between different organisms and trophic levels. It demonstrates that energy is passed from one organism to another as they consume each other. This process creates a flow of energy through the ecosystem, with energy decreasing as it moves up the trophic levels. The chart helps illustrate the interconnectedness of organisms and how energy is essential for sustaining life within the ecosystem.


When energy is transferred within a closed system?

The total energy within the closed system remains constant. Energy can be transferred between different forms (such as kinetic and potential energy) or between different objects within the system, but the overall amount of energy does not change.


What energy transferred to one coulomb of charge within the battery is called?

The energy transferred to one coulomb of charge within a battery is called electromotive force (emf).


How is energy transferred within the earth and atmosphere and throughout the oceans?

Energy is transferred within the Earth through conduction, convection, and radiation. In the atmosphere, energy is transferred through processes such as convection, advection, and radiation. In the oceans, energy is transferred through currents, waves, and tides, as well as through processes like conduction and convection.


How does the law of conservation of energy applies to this living system?

The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed. In a living system, this means that the energy obtained from food is transformed through metabolic processes to sustain life functions and is then transferred between different levels of the ecosystem. Overall, the total energy within the system remains constant.


Organisms in an ecosystem are linked together by?

Organisms in an ecosystem are linked together by various relationships such as food webs, where energy and nutrients are transferred between different species. These interactions help maintain the balance and stability of the ecosystem. Additionally, competition, predation, and symbiotic relationships play crucial roles in connecting organisms within an ecosystem.


What roles do trophic levels play in the transfer of energy within food chains and food webs?

Trophic levels play a significant role in the transfer of energy within food chains and food webs. Each organism has a position n the trophic level and energy is transferred through succession.