Biomass Transfer

Biomass Transfer: An Overview

  • Biomass transfer refers to the movement of energy and nutrients through a food chain or food web within an ecosystem.
  • Producers, such as plants, convert energy from the sun into chemical energy through photosynthesis - this energy is stored as biomass.
  • In each transfer from one trophic level to the next (for example, from plant to herbivore), there is a loss of energy and thus, a decrease in biomass.

Energy Losses in Biomass Transfer

  • Not all the organism is eaten or digested; some parts such as bones, scales, or fur are discarded, representing a loss of energy.
  • Energy is used by organisms for movement, reproduction and other life processes and is lost as heat.
  • As a result of these losses, typically only about 10% of the energy stored as biomass in one trophic level is transferred to the next.

Trophic Levels and Biomass Transfer

  • Organisms in an ecosystem are categorised into different trophic levels depending on their position in the food chain or food web.
  • The first trophic level consists of producers, followed by primary consumers (herbivores), secondary consumers (carnivores that eat herbivores), and so on.
  • The transfer of energy and nutrients through these trophic levels forms the biomass pyramid which usually shows a decrease in biomass and energy from the bottom to the top.

Biomass Transfer in Food Chains and Food Webs

  • Food chains illustrate a single, linear path of biomass transfer from producers to top consumers.
  • More complex ecosystems include multiple interlinked food chains, forming a food web.
  • Understanding biomass transfer through food chains and food webs can help in ecological conservation strategies, such as sustainable farming practices.

Impact of Biomass Transfer on Ecosystems

  • Biomass transfer is essential for the survival of all organisms within an ecosystem - each species relies on the transfer of energy and nutrients for growth and reproduction.
  • Changes in biomass can have significant effects on ecosystem health and stability. For instance, overfishing of a certain species (removing biomass) can cause imbalances in the food web and disrupt the ecosystem.