What does an energy pyramid illustrate?

An energy pyramid illustrates the energy flow across different trophic levels within an ecosystem. It visually represents how energy is transferred from one level to the next as energy moves through a food chain, beginning with producers (such as plants) at the base and moving up to herbivores, then carnivores, and apex predators at the top. Each level of the pyramid typically displays a decreasing amount of available energy, demonstrating the principle that as energy is transferred from one trophic level to another, a significant portion of energy is lost primarily through metabolic processes and heat. This diagram helps to clarify important ecological concepts such as energy efficiency, biomass distribution, and the interconnectedness of species in sustaining ecological balance.