Answer:
Ecosystems require a constant input
of energy as every component of an ecosystem is regularly dissipating energy.
Two laws of thermodynamics govern this flow of energy. According to first law of
thermodynamics energy can be transferred as well as transformed but is neither
created nor destroyed. According to second law of thermodynamics every activity
involving energy transformation is accompanied by dissipation of energy. Except
for deep hydrothermal ecosystems, the source of energy in all ecosystems is
solar energy. 50% of the solar energy incident over earth is present as PAR
(photosynthetically active radiation).
Energy flow in an
ecosystem is always unidirectional or one way, i.e., solar radiations 
producers
herbivores
carnivores.
It cannot pass in the reverse direction. There is decrease in the content and
flow of energy with the rise in trophic level because only 10% of energy is
transferred from one trophic level to the next.
Producer biomass (1000
K cal) Herbivore
biomass (100 K cal) Carnivore
I biomass (10 K cal) Carnivore
II biomass (I K cal). Energy flow through different trophic levels can be shown
as follows:
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