Which term is used to describe the transfer of energy from one trophic level to another in an ecosystem?

Energy flow

The correct answer is Option (2)- Energy flow.

The term used to describe the transfer of energy from one trophic level to another in an ecosystem is energy flow. Energy flow refers to the movement of energy through different trophic levels in a food chain or food web.

Energy enters an ecosystem primarily through the primary producers, such as plants, algae, or photosynthetic bacteria, which capture sunlight energy and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis. This energy is then transferred to the next trophic level when primary consumers (herbivores) consume the primary producers.

As energy flows through the ecosystem, it is further transferred to higher trophic levels as organisms are consumed by predators or other organisms. This transfer of energy continues as the energy is passed from one organism to another, ultimately reaching the highest trophic levels in the food chain.

However, it's important to note that energy flow is not 100% efficient. As energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, a significant portion of it is lost as heat during metabolic processes, such as respiration and movement.

The 10% law, also known as the 10% rule, is a concept in ecology that describes the transfer of energy between trophic levels in a food chain. The law states that, on average, only approximately 10% of the energy available at one trophic level is transferred to the next trophic level.

Understanding energy flow is crucial for studying the dynamics of ecosystems, as it influences population sizes, species interactions, and the overall functioning of the ecosystem.