An energy pyramid is defined as a visible chart that depicts the earth's food chain or food web from primary producers to tertiary consumers as a process which shows how energy is transferred between organisms that eat each other. The pyramid places primary producers at the bottom, with primary consumers, secondary consumers and tertiary in upper layers progressively, and sometimes further layers above that.
The main purpose of an energy pyramid is to show how energy flows through the animal kingdom and how it is converted to different forms as it goes. This is based on the principle that when one organism eats another, usable energy is transferred to the predator. The energy starts with the sun and moves from decomposing species in the soil, to plants, to leaf eaters, to various predators.
Share this Term
Let's Make Workplaces Safer!
Subscribe to the Safeopedia newsletter to stay on top of current industry trends and up-to-date know-how from subject matter authorities. Our comprehensive online resources are dedicated to safety professionals and decision makers like you.
Latest Articles
By: Daniel Clark | Safety and Quality Management System Specialist
