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Energy Flow In Ecosystem: Trophic Levels And Mode Of Nutrition

Energy Flow In Ecosystem: Trophic Levels And Mode Of Nutrition

Sun-Powered Energy Flow in Ecosystems: Path of Energy Transformation #

The primary source of Energy Flow in Ecosystem comes from the sun. The energy from the sun transforms by plants into chemical energy through a process called photosynthesis. This transformed energy from the producers becomes accessible to consumers within the food web.

Energetic Harmony: Dynamics of Unidirectional Energy Flow in Ecosystems #

  • The movement of energy flow across various trophic levels in an ecosystem is the basis of the energy cycle. 
  • Our ecosystem is kept in balance by recycling nutrients and energy from various external sources.
  • Unidirectional Flow: Energy flows through the trophic levels from producers to subsequent trophic levels is unidirectional. 
  • Energy Decline: The loss of energy in the form of heat at each trophic level causes the energy level to decline from the first trophic level. 
  • Tropical Limitation: Each trophic level has a considerable amount of energy loss. 
    • So, typically, there are four to five trophic levels (beyond this the energy available is negligible to support an organism).

Energetic Harmony #

Energy flow in Ecosystem at various Trophic Levels : A hierarchical system within the ecosystem #

  • Trophic level is a hierarchical level within an ecosystem that represents an organism’s position in the food chain or food web. 
    • Trophic levels help describe the energy flow in ecosystems and nutrients through an ecosystem and the interactions between different species.
  • Due to the considerable amount of energy loss, there are four to five trophic levels (beyond this the energy available is negligible to support an organism).

Mode of Nutrition and Energy Flow in Ecosystem Dynamics: Discovering the Symphony of Energy Flow, Trophic Levels, and Nutrient Cycling #

  • Modes of nutrition reflect the diverse ways in which organisms obtain energy and essential nutrients for their survival and growth.
  • It is generally divided into Autotrophs, Photoautotrophs, Chemoautotrophs and Heterotrophs.
Type Description Examples 
Autotrophs Organisms capable of producing their own food by converting inorganic substances into organic compounds through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. Plants, algae, cyanobacteria, some bacteria
Photoautotrophs Autotrophs that use light energy to create organic compounds through photosynthesis. Green plants, algae, photosynthetic bacteria
Chemoautotrophs Autotrophs that use chemical energy from inorganic compounds to synthesize organic molecules through chemosynthesis. Deep-sea hydrothermal vent bacteria, certain extremophiles
Heterotrophs Organisms that cannot produce their own food and must obtain organic compounds by consuming other organisms. Animals, fungi, most bacteria
  • Primary Producer: At the first trophic level, primary producers use solar energy to produce organic material through photosynthesis.
  • Primary Consumer: At the second trophic level, herbivores feed on plants to get their energy. 
    • The metabolic processes of these animals, including breathing, food digestion, sustaining tissue development, maintaining blood circulation, and controlling body temperature, consume a significant portion of this energy. 

Mode of Nutrition and Energy Flow in Ecosystem Dynamics

  • Secondary Consumer: At the third trophic level, predators eat herbivores as a source of energy for survival and growth. 
    • Large predators are still at a higher trophic level and feed on carnivores to obtain energy if they are there. 
    • As a result, food chains connect many plant and animal species to one another.
  • Decomposers: Consist of bacteria, fungus, molds, worms, and insects, decompose wastes and dead creatures and return nutrients to the soil, where they are subsequently ingested by producers. 
    • Decomposition releases energy rather than recycling it.
  • Detritivores vs Decomposers 
Aspect Detritivores Decomposers
Nature
  • Living organisms that consume animal or plant detritus.
  • Living organisms that break down organic matter.
Function
  • Feed on dead organic material (detritus)
  • Break down organic material through Mineralization process
Digestion
  • Physically consume detritus
  • Chemically decompose organic matter
Examples
  • Earthworms, beetles, scavenging animals
  • Bacteria, fungi, some insects

 

  • Mineralization occurs by aerobic or anaerobic processes (fermentation) and organic molecules are broken into much smaller mineral molecules, the mineral salts.
  • Functioning: The functioning of all biotic components of the ecosystem-based on two common procedures
    • The energy flow in the ecosystem, by using sustainable energy sources of sunlight’ .
    • The cycling of nutrients.
  • Follow Thermodynamics Laws: The fixation process of solar energy by plants using photosynthesis and utilized by living organisms as their food can be explained by two fundamental thermodynamics laws:
First Law of Thermodynamics Second Law of Thermodynamics
  • Energy is neither created nor destroyed, but may be converted from one form to another. Similar Law is applied in Energy flow in ecosystems
  • This law is known as the ‘law of conservation of energy.’
  • In our context, light energy is converted into food energy. 
  • In any energy conversion, some of the usable energy is always lost. 
  • There is no mechanism to trap and recycle heat energy. 
  • As a result of the absence of energy input, every system comes to a stop as its energy is either converted to heat or lost to surroundings.

 

Energy Flow in Ecosystems for Conservation: Conclusion #

  • Energy flow in ecosystems governs the structure and dynamics of ecosystems, influencing population sizes and biodiversity.
    • Thus understanding energy flow in ecosystems is essential for comprehending ecosystem functioning and conservation efforts.
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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
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