What are the differences between flow of matter and energy in an ecosystem? Why?
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There is a fundamental difference in the way energy and matter flows through an ecosystem.
Matter flows through the ecosystem in the form of the non-living nutrients essential to living organisms. When a living organism dies, nutrients are released back into the soil. These nutrients then are absorbed by plants, which are eaten by the herbivores. Matter, once again, is passed on. The herbivore is eaten by a carnivore (and matter is yet again transferred therein). Ultimately, when the carnivore dies, matter is returned back to the soil by the decomposers and the cycle repeats. So you see, matter is recycled in the ecosystem.
Unlike matter, energy is not recycled through the system. A part of the energy is lost at each stage.
Matter flows through the ecosystem in the form of the non-living nutrients essential to living organisms. When a living organism dies, nutrients are released back into the soil. These nutrients then are absorbed by plants, which are eaten by the herbivores. Matter, once again, is passed on. The herbivore is eaten by a carnivore (and matter is yet again transferred therein). Ultimately, when the carnivore dies, matter is returned back to the soil by the decomposers and the cycle repeats. So you see, matter is recycled in the ecosystem.
Unlike matter, energy is not recycled through the system. A part of the energy is lost at each stage.
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