Question

How does matter move through an ecosystem?

Answer 1

Hint: An ecosystem is a geographic area that involves the interaction of various abiotic and biotic components to form a stable community.

Complete answer:
A geographic area where the living or biotic components like- plants, animals, and other organisms interact with the abiotic or non-living components like- weather, climate, landscape, water, temperature to form a stable community or a bubble of life is called an ecosystem. All these components are connected through nutrient cycles and the flow of energy. They are an important part of the biome.
Ecosystems can be classified into- Natural and Artificial ecosystem.

The natural ecosystem can be further classified into- terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The aquatic ecosystem can be further classified into- freshwater and marine ecosystems. The terrestrial ecosystem is classified into various types based on their surrounding environment and climate.

The cycling of matter in the ecosystem occurs through a series of food chains, food webs, and nutrient cycles. The matter is transferred from one organism to another as all of them are interconnected with each other. The cycling of the matter starts from the producers and ends with the decomposers from where it goes back to the environment.

The producers consume organic matter and natural components like sunlight to prepare food or organic sugar molecules like glucose. The sugar molecules are further consumed by primary consumers. The primary consumers are consumed by the secondary consumers, which are further consumed by the tertiary consumers. The final consumers are consumed by the decomposers that feed on the dead and decaying organisms. The energy is also cycled in the ecosystem through this cycle. A total of ten percent of energy is transferred from one level to another, and the rest is lost as heat in the environment.

The water also passes in the ecosystem through a cycle where- an organism consumes the water and gives it back to the atmosphere through biogeochemical cycles.
Various other elements like- nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon have their cycle. They pass through the ecosystem through those cycles.

Note: The cycling of matter is important in an ecosystem as it allows the transfer of the energy and substances that are essential for the growth, development, various metabolic processes, and survival of living organisms. It is responsible for maintaining the continuity of life. Any hindrance in this process can affect several organisms.