The Energy Budget of the Biosphere

The energy budget of the biosphere describes how energy from the Sun flows through Earth's ecosystem. Solar energy reaches the planet's surface, where plants capture some for photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain. Animals consume plants or other animals to obtain energy, and some energy is lost as heat at each stage. Additionally, energy is absorbed, reflected, or re-radiated back into space by the atmosphere, land, and water. The balance of these processes maintains Earth's climate and supports life, effectively managing how energy is distributed, transformed, and conserved within the global environment.