Which statement best describes how matter moves within and between ecosystems?

• A. Matter is created by producers and destroyed by decomposers.
• B. Matter flows in one direction from producers to consumers and is lost as heat.
• C. Matter is only transferred between organisms through predation.
• D. Matter is recycled within and between ecosystems through biogeochemical cycles.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of matter recycling: Matter in ecosystems is not created or destroyed but is continuously cycled through various processes, such as the carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles. This is known as biogeochemical cycling.
2. Recognize the role of producers, consumers, and decomposers: Producers (like plants) convert inorganic matter into organic matter through photosynthesis. Consumers (like animals) eat producers or other consumers, transferring matter. Decomposers (like fungi and bacteria) break down dead organisms, returning nutrients to the environment.
3. Identify the incorrect statements: Matter is not created or destroyed by producers and decomposers; it is transformed. Matter does not flow in one direction and is not lost as heat; energy is lost as heat, but matter is recycled. Matter is transferred in various ways, not just through predation.
4. Focus on the correct statement: Matter is recycled within and between ecosystems through biogeochemical cycles, ensuring the continuous availability of essential elements like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
5. Relate this to real-world examples: For instance, in the carbon cycle, carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants during photosynthesis, transferred to animals through consumption, and returned to the atmosphere through respiration or decomposition.