What is an energy pyramid?

An energy pyramid is a model that illustrates the energy available at each trophic level within an ecosystem. This representation helps to visualize how energy is transferred from one level to another, demonstrating that energy decreases as one moves up the pyramid. At the base of the pyramid are the primary producers, such as plants, which capture solar energy through photosynthesis. As you move up to herbivores and then to carnivores, the available energy diminishes due to energy losses through metabolic processes and heat.

This concept is pivotal in understanding ecological efficiency, as it highlights that only a fraction of the energy is passed on to the next trophic level, thus shaping the structure and dynamics of ecosystems. Understanding the energy pyramid can help in the assessment of ecosystem productivity and the balance of different populations within an ecosystem.