I keep getting “Energy flow” questions wrong in Ecosystem & Ecology. What's the trap?
thinking energy is recycled like nutrients.
The usual trap: thinking energy is recycled like nutrients. How to avoid it: nutrients cycle, but energy flows one way and dissipates as heat. Go back to the definition — energy moves one-way through an ecosystem — from the sun to producers to consumers — and is lost as heat at each step.
Key point
Energy flow
Common mistake
thinking energy is recycled like nutrients.
Memory tip
nutrients cycle, but energy flows one way and dissipates as heat.
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