What two jobs do all ecosystems share?

All ecosystems share two fundamental jobs: energy flow and nutrient cycling. Energy flow involves the transfer of energy through food chains, beginning with primary producers like plants that convert sunlight into usable energy. Nutrient cycling refers to the movement and transformation of essential elements, such as carbon and nitrogen, through various biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem, ensuring that resources are reused and made available for different organisms. Together, these processes sustain ecosystem health and productivity.