How does matter move through an ecosystem?

Question

Also, How the movement of matter consistent with the laws of thermodynamics?

Answer 1

The laws of thermodynamics is primarily concerned with the flow of energy, not matter, even though chemical process engineers frequently deal with mass flows in their thermodynamic calculations. But some important laws of physics should be mentioned in this context:

1) Law of conservation of energy, which includes potential energy
2) Law of conservation of momentum
3) Any work produced is at the expense of heat or potential energy subtracted from a source (this is the 2nd law restated)

Most matter in motion through an ecosystem is actually falling matter from a higher level of potential energy, such as rivers flowing from mountains, landslides, rainfall, treefalls, even lake sedimentation. More obscurely, reactive forces such as the tendency of rivers to bow and meander, is due to conservation of momentum. Climate is dominated by differences in temperatures, so that for example, wind power is usually due to molecular motion from heated, high-pressure regions into cooler, low-pressure regions. However, even global weather patterns can be influenced by Coriolis force, a consequence of conservation of momentum, as the earth spins. Finally, living organisms can contribute to mass transport, such as salmon fish swimming upstream and then dying at the end of their journey, thereby leaving nutrients in the upper ecosystem. Fishes get their energy from foods consumed, which is a source of chemical potential. The physics of such living organisms can be complex and involve much more physics than just the few laws listed.

Answer 2

surely 10% of skill is surpassed from one trophic component to the subsequent. So say a plant has 5,000 in spite of skill, by the point that skill reaches a secondary shopper, that's actually about 5 or lots a lot less depending. (5,000/10, 500/10, 50/10)