What is the linear sequence of energy transfer in ecosystems called?

The linear sequence of energy transfer in ecosystems is known as a food chain. This concept illustrates how energy moves through different trophic levels, starting from primary producers, such as plants, that harness energy from the sun through photosynthesis. In a food chain, energy is passed from one organism to another, typically from producers to primary consumers (herbivores) and then to secondary consumers (carnivores or omnivores).

Each step in this chain represents a transfer of energy, highlighting the dependence of various organisms on one another for sustenance. Understanding the food chain is essential for grasping the foundational structure of ecosystem dynamics, which ultimately reflects how energy supports life and maintains ecological balance. While a food web also describes energy transfer, it encompasses multiple interconnected food chains, making it more complex than a simple linear sequence. The other terms, such as energy pyramid and ecological niche, refer to different ecological concepts and do not represent the direct sequence of energy flow.