Explain how 1st and 2nd law of thermodynamics applies to the trophic structure of an ecosystem?

First law: In the ecosystem, the energy flow from lower levels of the food chain to the highest levels

Second law: During energy transference between trophic levels, the main part of the energy is lost as heat and other processes.

Explanation:

The first law of thermodynamics states that the energy can not be created or destroyed, but instead it is transformed into one type to another. Moreover, the second law states that when energy is transformed an important proportion of this energy is lost as heat, and it increases the entropy level.

In an ecosystem, the energy flow is unidirectional, it means that energy flow from primary producers to primary consumers, then from primary consumers to secondary consumers and so successively in all levels. Moreover, organisms fight against entropy by converting foods into energy (which is used to maintain order within their cells. During the feeding process, the energy intake is not 100 % efficient, it means that most part of the energy is lost as heat (approximately 90%), thereby increasing the entropy in the ecosystem.