Energy Flow
Light energy from the sun is converted to chemical energy by plants through the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis produces oxygen for all organisms and a source of food for herbivores. The herbivores (primary consumers) are then consumed by secondary consumers, secondary consumers are then consumed by tertiary consumers. When the tertiary consumers die, they are broken down by decomposers. The remains of the tertiary consumer are used as nutrients in the soil which are used to repeat the cycle (provide plants with minerals for photosynthesis). Photosynthesis uses 100% of the light energy available from the sun of that, the herbivore, or primary consumer, consumes 10% of the original light energy. The secondary consumer receives 1% of the original sunlight energy. Lastly, the tertiary consumer receives approximately 0.1% of the light energy from the sun.