Ecological pyramids : An important feature of energy flow is that most of the energy going from one trophic level to the next, in a food chain and food we, dissipated into the environment as a result of the second law of thermodynamics. Ecological pyramids oft tern graphically represent the relative energy values of each trophic level. There are three main types pyramids – a pyramid of numbers, a pyramid of biomass and pyramid of energy.
Ecosystem productivity: The gross primary productivity (GPP) of an ecosytem is the rate at which energy is captured during photosynthesis in a given period of time. In addition, a plant respires to provide energy for its won use; this acts as a drain on photosynthesis. Energy in plant tissues after celluar respiration has occurred is net primary productivity (NPP). Both GPP and NPP are expressed as energy per unit area per unit time. Humans consume (32%) far more of earth’s resources than any other of animal species. If we want our planet to operate sustainable, we must share terrestrial photosynthetic product with other organisms.
