Which of the following describes the ultimate disposition of most energy in an ecosystem?
A) It is used to construct the bodies of decomposers.
B) It is trapped as fossil fuels when producers die and become fossilized.
C) It is continuously recycled back into the ecosystem.
D) It eventually returns to space in the form of heat.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ultimate disposition of most energy in an ecosystem is that it eventually returns to space in the form of heat, as energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can only be converted from one form to another. This process is known as the second law of thermodynamics, which states that energy always flows from high to low concentrations and that the entropy (disorder) of a system always increases over time. Therefore, as energy is used by organisms in an ecosystem, it is gradually transformed into heat energy and radiated back into space, which is the final destination of all energy flows on Earth.

Which of the Following Describes the Ultimate Disposition of Most