trophic transfer

Trophic transfer refers to the movement of energy and nutrients through different levels of a food chain. It starts with plants or microorganisms (producers) that create energy from sunlight or other sources. Herbivores (primary consumers) eat these plants, gaining energy and nutrients. Carnivores or predators (secondary and tertiary consumers) then eat herbivores, passing the energy upward. At each step, some energy is lost as heat. This process helps explain how nutrients circulate through ecosystems, supporting various forms of life from small insects to large animals.