How do energy and matter move through an ecosystem?

1. Energy unidirectionally flows through an ecosystem, whereas matter generally cycles within an ecosystem.

2. Both energy and matter cycle within an ecosystem.

3. Matter unidirectionally flows through an ecosystem, whereas energy cycles within an ecosystem.

4. Both energy and matter unidirectionally flow through an ecosystem.

1. Energy unidirectionally flows through an ecosystem, whereas matter generally cycles within an ecosystem.

Explanation:

In an ecosystem, energy from the organisms of one trophic level to that of next occurs by the process of feeding. The flow of energy follows a unidirectional path which means that energy from producers is carried to the primary consumers, secondary consumers and so on. It does not flow in reverse direction (from consumers to producers).

On the other hand, matter such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, etc. are cycled via various biogeochemical cycles. For instance, plants intake carbon from the air in the form of CO2 and form organic nutrients. These organic nutrients carry the carbon from plants to herbivores and then to the consumers of higher trophic levels. However, when plants and consumers die, the carbon present in their tissues is decomposed and is released back to the surroundings. In this way, the carbon cycle cycles carbon in an ecosystem.