Question : State the points of explanation which are derived from the study of flow of energy in an ecosystem.

Question : State the points of explanation which are derived from the

1.	Question : State the points of explanation which are derived from the study of flow of energy in an ecosystem.
Answer» Solution : From the study of flow of energy in an ecosystem, following points of explanation are derived: ( 1 ) The GREEN plants capture only about 1 % of the energy from the total available solar energy and convert it into food. ( 2 )A large amount of energy is lost as heat to the environment during the flow of energy from one trophic level to next. ( 3 ) Compared to producers, CONSUMERS utilise more energy. ( 4 ) Continuous supply of energy is reqUired for an ecosystem ( 5 )At every trophic level, organisms utilise energy for growth, reproduction, ETC ( 6 ) On an average, 10 % of available energy gets transferred from one trophic level to next in food chain ( 7 ) Food chains generally consist of three or four steps. After four trophic LEVELS very little usable energy remains in the food chain. ( 8 ) Producers occur in the largest number whereas top level carnivores are in the smallest number.