1.9 Trophic Levels

Explain how energy flows and matter cycles through trophic levels.

• All ecosystems depend on a continuous inflow of high-quality energy in order to maintain their structure and function of transferring matter between the environment and organisms via biogeochemical cycles.
• Biogeochemical cycles are essential for life and each cycle demonstrates the conservation of matter.
• In terrestrial and near-surface marine communities, energy flows from the sun to producers in the lowest trophic levels and then upward to higher trophic levels.
• Enduring understanding ENG-1: Energy can be converted from one form to another.