Solution

Energy is what drives the ecosystem to thrive. And while all matter is conserved in an ecosystem, energy flows through an ecosystem, meaning it is not conserved. Energy decreases as it moves up trophic levels because it is lost as metabolic heat when the organisms from one trophic level are consumed by organisms from the next level. Autotrophs take energy from the sun. Herbivores then feed on the autotrophs and change the energy from the plant into energy that they can use. Carnivores subsequently feed on the herbivores and, finally, other carnivores prey on the carnivores