Biology

Thinking Energy Is Recycled in an Ecosystem

Students say energy cycles back to producers the same way matter cycles through an ecosystem.

Quick check

Why students make it

Food webs look like loops, so it is easy to think everything in them is reused. Students also mix up the recycling of atoms with the flow of energy.

The rule done right

Matter is recycled in ecosystems, but energy flows one way. Energy enters mostly as sunlight, moves through organisms, and leaves as heat at each transfer.

Related resources

ecosystemsenergy-flowfood-webs