How would you describe the trophic levels in a typical ecosystem? Discuss the flow of energy through the ecosystem, the relationship between the different trophic levels, and the factors that limit the number of trophic levels.

Consider a brief cycle:

Eventually, decomposers will get to work on these two species when they die, but generally speaking, sheep will only receive 10% of the energy stored in grass.

Consider this:

The eagle is a tertiary consumer, consuming only 0.1% of the energy stored in the weed, with the snake being the secondary consumer.

It holds true for decomposers in this food chain as well.

In an ecosystem with a diversity of plant species and no human interference or contamination, a complex food web is to be expected.

Temperature and precipitation are the two parameters that limit the food web (in terrestrial ecosystems); higher biodiversity is supported by optimal levels of both of these variables.

Trophic levels in an ecosystem represent positions in the food chain, including producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers. Energy flows through these levels, starting with producers converting sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis. Primary consumers feed on producers, followed by higher-level consumers. Energy transfer is not 100% efficient, leading to a pyramid-shaped energy distribution. Factors limiting trophic levels include energy loss, biomass reduction, and increased metabolic costs, restricting the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem.