Examples of the energy pyramid to explain production, distribution, and use of food resources

The energy pyramid (also called ecological pyramid) quantifies the energy transfer from one organism to another along the food chain. Energy decreases as you move through the levels from the bottom to the top of the pyramid. At the bottom are the p roducers which bring energy from nonliving sources (sun) into the community (photosynthesis).

After the producers (above them) are the primary consumers. They eat the producers, which makes them herbivores. Above them are the s econdary consumers. They eat the primary consumers, which makes them carnivores. And at the top are the Tertiary consumers.