Answer to Question #64507 in Ecology for Sanjukta Ghosh

Question

What are the basic principles of energy flow in an ecosystem?

Is it the two laws of thermodynamics and 10% law as well?

Answer 1

Yes, you are right.

I would also point out that energy flow through the ecosystem is linear, it is not a cycle as in case of matter.

Matter flows from producers to consumers and decomposers, and then returns to producers again. However, energy flows only from producers to consumers and decomposers. Thus, there is a need in continuous income of energy from the sun.