In an ecosystem, how is matter handled as energy flows through it?

In an ecosystem, matter is recycled as energy flows through it. This means that the nutrients and materials within the ecosystem are continually reused and transformed rather than being created or destroyed. Organisms within the ecosystem participate in a cycle where they take in matter, utilize it for growth and energy, and then return it to the environment through processes such as respiration, decomposition, and excretion. For example, plants absorb nutrients from the soil and sunlight to create organic matter through photosynthesis. When animals consume these plants, they take in that organic matter, and when these animals die or produce waste, the matter is released back into the ecosystem for decomposers, such as fungi and bacteria, to break down. This recycling process ensures the sustainability of the ecosystem and maintains the availability of essential nutrients for various life forms within it.