Question

what is the difference between a flow of energy and a flow of matter in an ecosystem?

Answer 1

The fundamental difference between flow of energy and flow of the matter through the ecosystem . The flow of matter through the ecosystem in form of non living nutrients essential to the living organism ... Unlike the flow of matter, the flow of energy is not recycled in the ecosystem

Answer 2

1) Flow of matter involves circulation and recycling of nutrients in a cyclic manner.

Flow of energy involves the energy flow from one trophic level to another and in non cyclic manner.

2) In flow of matter, there is no disappearance of matter at any level.

In flow of energy, there is disappearence of energy at every level.

3) Biosphere is the source of nutrients in flow of matter

Sun is the most important source of energy flow of energy.