Answer to Question #291127 in Ecology for Kelsey Jand

Question

Answer the following question using Claim Evidence Reasoning (CER):

What are the similarities and differences between matter/nutrients and energy in an ecosystem?

Answer 1

Similarity;

As matter cycles within an ecosystem,atoms are rearranged into various molecules but no new matter is created. So during all ecosystem processes, energy and matter are conserved.

Differences;

Nutrient cycle is recycled in the ecosystem while the energy flow is ultimately lost from the ecosystem to the universe at large.

Energy flow shows the energy transmission from one trophic level to next trophic level in food chains while matter cycling shows the flow or cycling of elements through the living and non living parts of ecosystems.