Interactions and energy

interdependence

Organisms depend on each other and their environment for survival

food chain system

Producer → primary consumer → secondary consumer → tertiary consumer → apex predator

what do food webs show?

that interdependence is often more complex

pyramid of numbers

shows the number of organisms involved in a feeding relationship and which ones eat which

pyramid of biomass

shows the mass available to the next trophic level and energy loss through levels

pyramid of energy

clearly show energy passed between trophic levels and how much energy is lost

why does biomass decrease through the food chain

not all of the animal is eaten and the predator uses energy (respiration and kinetic to hunt)

energy efficiency calculation

energy after transfer / energy before transfer x100