Last Minute Lecture

Ecosystem Energy Flow & Chemical Cycling Explained | Chapter 55 of Campbell Biology How does energy move through ecosystems, and how are essential nutrients recycled? Chapter 55 of Campbell Biology unpacks the dynamic processes of energy flow and chemical cycling, explaining how life on Earth depends on the transfer and transformation of energy and matter. This chapter is essential for understanding both natural ecosystem function and how human actions can impact global cycles. Watch the full podcast summary below, then read on for an in-depth breakdown, key terms, and applied examples in modern ecology and environmental science. Energy Flow in Ecosystems Energy in ecosystems follows the laws of thermodynamics: it enters as sunlight, is captured by autotrophs (primary producers), and is transferred through trophic levels via consumers and decomposers . Gross primary production (GPP) measures total energy captured by producers, while net primary production (NPP)...