The primary mechanism of energy transfer in ecosystems is through the food chain/web, where energy flows from one trophic level to another. This process starts with primary producers, such as plants, which convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis. Herbivores then consume these plants, transferring energy up the food chain to carnivores. Energy transfer is inefficient, with only about 10% of the energy passed on at each trophic level due to metabolic processes and heat loss. Understanding these dynamics is essential for conservation and managing ecosystem health.