Trophic levels are like the different layers of a food pyramid. They show us how energy moves around and how nutrients cycle through nature. Here’s how it all works:
Producers are the plants. They take in sunlight and turn it into food using a process called photosynthesis.
Next, we have primary consumers. These are the herbivores, or plant-eating animals. They munch on the plants and get energy from them to grow and have babies.
Then come the secondary consumers. These are the carnivores, or meat-eating animals. They eat the herbivores and get energy from them.
Finally, there are decomposers like fungi and bacteria. They break down dead plants and animals. This process puts important nutrients back into the soil, which helps the producers grow again.
This whole cycle shows that energy decreases by about 90% as it moves from one level to the next. That means only about 10% of energy is passed along! Each step is really important for keeping our ecosystems healthy!
Trophic levels are like the different layers of a food pyramid. They show us how energy moves around and how nutrients cycle through nature. Here’s how it all works:
Producers are the plants. They take in sunlight and turn it into food using a process called photosynthesis.
Next, we have primary consumers. These are the herbivores, or plant-eating animals. They munch on the plants and get energy from them to grow and have babies.
Then come the secondary consumers. These are the carnivores, or meat-eating animals. They eat the herbivores and get energy from them.
Finally, there are decomposers like fungi and bacteria. They break down dead plants and animals. This process puts important nutrients back into the soil, which helps the producers grow again.
This whole cycle shows that energy decreases by about 90% as it moves from one level to the next. That means only about 10% of energy is passed along! Each step is really important for keeping our ecosystems healthy!