pyramids of energy

• shows the available amount of energy in the form of biomass at each trophic level
• energy is passed from one trophic level to another
• when a herbivore eats a plant, 10% energy is transferred, this energy is trapped by photosynthesis
• the rest of energy is lost in ways such as:

  • not all the parts of the plant is eaten
  • energy is used to build inedible parts such as wood or roots
  • energy lost during respiration
• in animals energy is lost in ways such as:

  • lost as heat
  • lost as excretory product
  • inedible parts: bones
  • to carry out biological activities