carnivores and top carnivores, where organic matter is converted into new organic matter at each level - all organisms at each level eventually die and the organic matter is decomposed (= converted back to basic elements) by the decomposers organisms or accumulates in the ecosystem as dead organic matter (e.g. leaf litter, and humus in terrestrial soils) - at each level, respiration of organic matter provides energy for the various metabolic processes of the organisms - so energy is consumed for life processes or energy is l ost to the external environment (usually as heat) - only about 10% of the energy available at one trophic level is transferred up to the next trophic level - so there is considerable energy loss at each step up through a food & 
(organic matter; is converted; into new organic matter; T:all organisms) (energy; is consumed; ) (carnivores and top carnivores, where organic matter is converted into new organic matter at each level - all organisms at each level; die; T:eventually) (energy; is l ost; to the external environment; only about 10% of the energy available) (the organic matter; is decomposed; ) (the organic matter; converted; back; to basic elements; by the decomposers organisms or accumulates) (respiration of organic matter; provides; energy; for the various metabolic processes of the organisms; L:at each level)
organic matter energy carnivores and top carnivores, where organic matter is converted into new organic matter at each level - all organisms at each level energy the organic matter the organic matter respiration of organic matter
is converted is consumed die is l ost is decomposed converted provides
into new organic matter T:all organisms
T:eventually
to the external environment only about 10% of the energy available
back to basic elements by the decomposers organisms or accumulates
energy for the various metabolic processes of the organisms L:at each level