The Y-shaped energy flow model is a double-channel model that represents the flow of energy through two different food chains in an ecosystem. It was first developed by H.T. Odum in 1956 and later generalized by E.P. Odum. The model has a Y-shaped structure because the energy obtained from primary producers is divided into two pathways.
The first pathway is the grazing food chain. In this pathway, energy passes from living green plants to herbivores and then to carnivores. The second pathway is the detritus food chain. Here, energy passes from dead organic matter, plant litter and animal wastes to decomposers and detritivores.
Both pathways…
