Matter Cycling in Ecosystems
Science · Ecosystems & Habitats · conceptual
Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment in an ecosystem
What mastery looks like
- Describe the role of decomposers (fungi, bacteria, worms) in breaking down dead matter
- Trace the movement of matter: plant grows using soil nutrients → animal eats plant → animal dies → decomposers return nutrients to soil
- Create or interpret a simple diagram showing matter cycling through an ecosystem
Check your understanding
Can Matter Cycling in Ecosystems explain what happens to a fallen leaf on the forest floor — how tiny organisms break it down and the nutrients go back into the soil to help new plants grow?
Prerequisites
Required first
Helpful