What term describes the movement of energy and nutrients through an ecosystem?

The term that best describes the movement of energy and nutrients through an ecosystem is the biogeochemical cycle. This concept encompasses the pathways through which chemical elements and compounds move through biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (soil, air, water) compartments of the Earth. Biogeochemical cycles include various processes such as the carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, and water cycle, each illustrating how nutrients are transferred and transformed within ecosystems.

Understanding this term is essential because it highlights the interconnectedness of various components within an ecosystem and emphasizes the role energy and nutrients play in sustaining life. While trophic structure pertains to the feeding relationships between organisms (which is related to energy flow), it does not encapsulate the complete movement of both energy and nutrients as thoroughly as the concept of biochemical cycles does.