How does energy flow through the Savanna?
The main source for energy in all ecosystems is the sun. There is no direction to the energy flow in an ecosystem and the amount of energy received depends on slopes, clouds, and pollutants (among other things) that are present in the atmosphere. Energy is usually cycled through an ecosystem via food chains, food webs and photosynthesis.The food chain always starts with photosynthesis and ends with decay. In the Savanna the sunlight is captured by producers (plants) and converted into an energy rich sugar, using photosynthesis. The energy captured by the plants (producers) is transferred to herbivores (primary consumers) or decomposers. That energy captured by herbivores, is later transferred to carnivores (secondary consumers) or decomposers. The energy is that is now captured by carnivores is transferred to other carnivores (tertiary/top consumer) or decomposers. If the energy is captured by decomposers it is transferred to consumers or other decomposers. When the energy from plants is transferred to herbivores (primary consumers), only about 10% of the energy is released from that energy rich sugar and is usable. The other 90% of the energy is lost as either heat energy or as indigestible waste.
There is some more information about food chains in the video below
There is some more information about food chains in the video below