How are the flow of nutrients and energy through an ecosystem different?
1 Answer
Apr 26, 2017
Flow of energy (energy becomes usuless heat energy) is nonconservative but flow of nutrients (there is no loss in matter due to conservation) is conservative
Explanation:
Energy in food chain becomes less and less due to energy lost (becomes usuless heat energy) between one creature and its enemy. In general, 90% of total energy stored in a plant or flesh becomes usuless when it is consumed by its predator (consumer).
On the other hand, matter is conserved. Nutrients (if you take 5 mg of salt with your diet) are saved or used in your system as the same amount of the intake. It is due to conservation of matter.
