What is the flow transfer of energy in an ecosystem and why is transfer of energy in an ecosystem referred to as energy flow not energy cycling?
Energy flow in ecosystem refers to the transfer and consumption of energy that takes place within a food chain. An ecosystem is a web of relationships that connects a given area's living and non-living elements. Nutrient cycles and energy flow in ecosystem bind the biotic and abiotic components together. The flow of energy in an ecosystem is always unidirectional. It is said to be unidirectional because some energy is lost in form of heat when moving from one trophic level to the next for the maintenance of the homeostasis of an organism. Energy is transferred between organisms in food webs from producers to consumers. The energy is used by organisms to carry out complex tasks. The vast majority of energy that exists in food webs originates from the sun and is converted (transformed) into chemical energy by the process of photosynthesis in plants. Energy is transferred between organisms in food webs from producers to consumers. The energy is used by organisms to carry out complex tasks. The vast majority of energy that exists in food webs originates from the sun and is converted (transformed) into chemical energy by the process of photosynthesis in plants. Dead producers and consumers and their waste products provide matter and energy to decomposers. Decomposers transform matter back into inorganic forms that can be recycled within the ecosystem. So, the energy that enters an ecosystem as sunlight eventually flows out of the ecosystem in the form of heat. This energy is then passed on from one organism to another in a food chain. The flow of energy in the ecosystem is unidirectional because the energy lost as heat from the living organisms of a food chain cannot be reused by plants in photosynthesis. The energy changes its form and flows into the following species or organic nutrient cycle. Thus, the energy is passed on to the next in an ecosystem, like entering an ecosystem as sunlight and leaves in the form of heat. Since the energy is not recycled, it is referred to as energy flow. It can only be converted or transformed from one form to another. In an ecosystem energy just changes form. As when we cycle, muscular energy is transformed to mechanical energy while peddling. This is why we say energy "flows".nergy passes through an ecosystem, entering as sunlight and leaving as heat. It is not recycled within the ecosystem. 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.
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