What is a series of events that describes the sequence of energy transfer in an ecosystem?

A food chain is a linear sequence that illustrates how energy is transferred from one organism to another within an ecosystem. It typically starts with primary producers, such as plants, which convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. This energy then flows to primary consumers, like herbivores, that eat the plants, followed by secondary consumers, such as carnivores, which feed on the herbivores. This direct relationship highlights the pathway of energy through different trophic levels and emphasizes the interconnectedness of organisms within an ecosystem.

In contrast, a food web comprises multiple interconnected food chains, depicting a more complex representation of interactions and energy flow among various species. The energy cycle and nutrient cycle, while related to energy transfer and ecosystem function, refer more broadly to the movement of energy and matter through an ecosystem rather than the specific sequence of energy transfer illustrated by a food chain.