Functions of Ecosystems

The principal steps in the operation of ecosystem are as follows:

1. Food chain and food web.

2. Gross productivity.

3. Community respiration.

4. Net community production.

5. Efficiency of energy use/ flow of energy.

6. Nutrient recycling

7. Species introduction.

Energy flow in ecosystems

When the light energy falls on the green surfaces of plants, a part of it is transformed into chemical energy which is stored in various organic products in the plants. When the herbivores consume plants as food and convert chemical energy accumulated in plant products into kinetic energy, degradation of energy will occur through its conversion into heat. When herbivores are consumed by carnivores of the first order (secondary consumer), further degradation will occur. Similarly, when primary carnivores are consumed by top carnivores, again energy will be degraded.