1) Energy from the sun powers photosynthesis in producers, enabling the storage of chemical energy in molecules. 2) This energy then flows through ecosystems as organisms feed on each other across trophic levels. 3) As energy moves up food chains, about 90% is lost as heat at each level, so insects gain only 10% of the energy trapped by plants, and so on.

1. Energy Flow

2. Energy
In most communities it is the Sun’s energy in the
form of light that provides the energy for the
survival of the community of organisms.
Photosynthesis enables producers to convert
light energy into chemical potential energy
stored in the bonds of molecules.

3. Energy flows through a community of organisms
from one trophic level to the next as organisms
feed on others.
As energy flows through the community some
energy is used by organisms, some is lost as heat
and some is converted into biomass.
In food webs, much energy is lost along the way
as heat energy as organisms respire
carbohydrates for their energy provision.

4. Food Chain
Gum tree insect lizard eagle
Insects only gain 10% of the energy trapped by
gum trees.
Lizards only about 10% from insects.
Eagles gain 10% from lizards.
There is approximately 90% drop in each trophic
level as heat into the atmosphere.

5. Productivity is directly influenced by the amount of
energy and resources available to the community.
It is the energy of the sun radiating towards the
Earth that is the ultimate source of energy for all life
Most energy radiates off our planet back into space.
The Earths atmosphere remains at a relatively
constant temperature as the energy input to Earth
is roughly balanced by the energy output.

6. 10 % Rule
Image sourced from: desert596.weebly.com

7. Energy loss through trophic levels

8. Energy flow through a producer

10. Food Web