Question

How come in an ecosystem, energy is said to flow, while nutrients are said to cycle?

Answer 1

Hint: An ecosystem is a group of living organisms that communicate as a system, in combination with the nonliving components of their environment. By means of nutrient cycles and energy flows, these biotic and abiotic components are connected together.

Complete answer:
Between flow and cycle, there is a significant distinction. Cycle is a path that stays the same in which the resulting thing cannot be reduced, but it changes the state and shapes and can be reversed to its original state. In an energy ecosystem, the form of energy just changes. For instance, when peddling, muscular energy is converted into mechanical energy when we ride. That's why it is called the "flow" of energy. Nutrients have a definitive period of termination. It is possible to build them and kill or even recycle them. That is why we say "cycle" of nutrients because there is a cycle of something with a start and end. Energy changes from one form to another. Therefore it is said as energy flow and not energy cycle. The nutrients are used up or recycled by living beings. Hence, nutrient cycle is named.

Note:
There is a loss of energy all along the route during the movement of energy across successive trophic stages in an ecosystem. There is no 100 percent transition of energy. Nutrients migrate into biotic, plant and animal supplies of biomass from abiotic nutrient stores, such as the soil and the atmosphere. The nutrients are then recycled, after death and decomposition, within the ecosystem.