The flow of matter and energy in ecosystems is important for the exchange necessary for them to function. For ecosystems to exist, there must be energy that flows and makes the transformation of matter possible.
Ecosystems are complex systems that exchange matter and energy with the environment and that, as a result, modify it. In order to understand the dynamics of ecosystems and how they work, it is essential to establish the connections between the flow of energy and the cycle of matter.
All processes on Earth are the result of energy flows and cycles of matter within and between its subsystems.
Energy
Energy is the ability of matter to do work, in this case, work to maintain its vital functions.
In other words, when something is heated, cooled or its nature changes, there is energy that is absorbed or released in some way.
In ecology the two main types of energy are chemical energy and solar energy. The first is the energy that is released or absorbed in a chemical change, the second is the energy that the sun emits.
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis formula
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants capture solar energy by chlorophyll and transform it into organic matter.
Chemosynthesis
In places where sunlight does not reach (bottom of the sea, caves) there are organisms that obtain energy from the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide and transform it into organic matter just like plants.
Matter and energy
An ecosystem is a community of living things whose life processes are related to each other. From the point of view of energy, it is the area where the flow of energy and the cycle of matter are in dynamic equilibrium.
The path of energy and the cycle of matter can be established through the food chain (trophic).
Trophic relationships
Food webs. Source: Roddelgado
Trophic relationships are those in which organisms occupy a certain position with respect to where they obtain their energy (food).
The first place is always occupied by an autotrophic organism (organism that originates organic matter through the sun), that is, a producer.
Heterotrophs are those that obtain their energy from producers or from other animals that have eaten producers, that is, they are consumers and occupy the second place in the chain.
The latter are classified according to their proximity to the producers. Thus, herbivores that feed directly on producers are called primary; carnivores that eat herbivores are called secondary, larger carnivores that eat lesser carnivores are called tertiary consumers, and so on.
The third place is occupied by decomposers, organisms that obtain matter and energy from other living beings and transform it into inorganic mineral substances that can then be used by producers to transform it into organic matter.
conclusion
Without the flow of energy and matter, ecosystems would not exist. The energy comes to them from the sun, the producers convert that energy into organic matter. This transformed energy is then transferred along the food chain to consumers and decomposers.
At each of these levels only a small part of the energy is available for the next level, as almost 90% is consumed in maintenance and respiration.
References
- POFF, NL, ALLAN, JD, BAIN, MB, KARR, JR, PRESTEGAARD, KL, RICHTER, BD,… & STROMBERG, JC (1997). The natural flow regime. BioScience, 47 (11), 769-784.
- PAUL, EA (2014). Soil microbiology, ecology and biochemistry. Academic press.
- NEBEL, BJ, & WRIGHT, RT (1999). Environmental sciences: ecology and sustainable development. Pearson education.
- OLSON, JS (1963). Energy storage and the balance of producers and decomposers in ecological systems. Ecology, 44 (2), 322-331
- ODUM, EP (1992). Ecology: scientific bases for a new paradigm (No. 574.5 O36Y). You will see.