Overview
Use the knowledge of energy losses in the ecosystem to explain the pyramidal shape of feeding relationships. State that only a small percentage of the radiant energy actually gets to plants. State the first and second laws of thermodynamics and use them to explain ecological events such as pyramid of energy, food chain and energy flow.
What you'll learn
- Energy loss in the ecosystem:
- (i) Solar radiation: its intake and loss at the earth's surface
- (ii) Energy loss in the biosphere
- (iii) Measures of primary production e.g. the amount and rate of energy fixation.
- Laws of thermodynamics:
- - First law.
- - Second law.
- Application of both law to ecological phenomena.