Odum's Energy Flow

Odum's Energy Flow concept illustrates how energy moves through ecosystems. It starts when sunlight is captured by plants (producers) during photosynthesis, converting it into chemical energy. This energy is then transferred to herbivores (primary consumers) when they eat plants and is further passed on to carnivores (secondary consumers) that feed on herbivores. Each step in this food chain results in energy loss due to metabolic processes, making food webs less efficient at higher trophic levels. Odum emphasized the importance of understanding these flows for ecosystem health, conservation, and sustainable resource management.