Question:

Write important features of a sedimentary cycle in an ecosystem.

Answer:

1. Sedimentary cycles are the process of sediment being transported and deposited in an ecosystem.

2. Sediment is composed of particles of rock, minerals, and organic matter.

3. Sediment is transported by water, wind, and ice.

4. Sediment can be deposited in a variety of locations, including rivers, lakes, oceans, and deserts.

5. Sediment can be used to form new landforms, such as sand dunes and deltas.

6. Sediment can also be used to create new soil, which is important for plant growth and the health of an ecosystem.

7. Sedimentary cycles help to maintain biodiversity in an ecosystem, by providing a variety of habitats for different species.

8. Sediment can also help to filter pollutants from water, which helps to maintain water quality.

Question:

What is primary productivity? Give brief description of factors that affect primary productivity.

Answer:

Answer:

Primary productivity is the rate at which energy is converted into organic material (biomass) by autotrophs in an ecosystem. Factors that affect primary productivity include light intensity, temperature, availability of water, availability of nutrients, and atmospheric CO2 concentration. Additionally, competition among species, grazing, and predation can also have an effect on primary productivity.

Question:

The second trophic level in a lake is (a) Phytoplankton (b) Zooplankton (c) Benthos (d) Fishes

Answer:

Answer: (b) Zooplankton

Question:

Outline salient features of carbon cycling in an ecosystem.

Answer:

1. Explain what carbon cycling is and how it works in an ecosystem: Carbon cycling is the process by which carbon is exchanged between different components of an ecosystem, such as the atmosphere, biotic organisms, and soil. Carbon is exchanged through photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion.

2. Describe the role of photosynthesis in carbon cycling: Photosynthesis is a process in which plants use energy from the sun to convert carbon dioxide into glucose, which is then used to produce energy for the plant. This process also removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which helps to reduce global warming.

3. Explain the role of respiration in carbon cycling: Respiration is a process in which organisms release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This process is necessary for organisms to obtain energy from food, and it also adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

4. Describe the role of decomposition in carbon cycling: Decomposition is a process in which organic matter is broken down by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. This process releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and also returns nutrients to the soil.

5. Explain the role of combustion in carbon cycling: Combustion is a process in which fuel is burned to produce energy. This process releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming.

Question:

Distinguish between. (A) Grazing food chain and detritus food chain (B) Production and decomposition (C) Upright and inverted pyramid (D) Food chain and food web (E) Litter and detritus (F) Primary and secondary productivity

Answer:

A) Grazing food chain: A food chain in which energy is transferred from green plants to herbivores, and then to carnivores.

Detritus food chain: A food chain in which energy is transferred from dead organic matter to decomposers and then to other organisms.

B) Production: The process of creating new organic matter from inorganic sources of energy, such as sunlight.

Decomposition: The process of breaking down organic matter into simpler compounds.

C) Upright pyramid: A diagram that shows the number of organisms at each level of a food chain, with the fewest organisms at the top.

Inverted pyramid: A diagram that shows the amount of energy at each level of a food chain, with the most energy at the top.

D) Food chain: A linear sequence of organisms through which energy and nutrients are transferred from one organism to the next.

Food web: A complex network of interconnected food chains.

E) Litter: Organic material that is left on the ground, such as leaves, twigs, and fruit.

Detritus: Dead organic matter that is broken down by decomposers.

F) Primary productivity: The rate at which energy is converted into organic matter by producers.

Secondary productivity: The rate at which energy is converted into organic matter by consumers.

Question:

Define decomposition and describe the processes and products of decomposition.

Answer:

Decomposition is the process of breaking down complex materials into simpler components. This process can occur naturally, such as through the action of bacteria and fungi, or it can be done artificially, such as through the use of chemicals.

Processes of Decomposition:

1. Oxidation: This is the process of breaking down organic material through the action of oxygen. This process is accelerated by bacteria and fungi, which release enzymes that break down complex molecules into simpler components.

2. Hydrolysis: This is the process of breaking down organic material through the action of water. This process is accelerated by bacteria and fungi, which release enzymes that break down complex molecules into simpler components.

3. Abiotic degradation: This is the process of breaking down organic material through the action of physical and chemical processes. This process is accelerated by heat, light, and acidity.

Products of Decomposition:

1. Carbon dioxide: This is the most common product of decomposition, as it is produced by the oxidation of organic material.

2. Water: This is another common product of decomposition, as it is produced by the hydrolysis of organic material.

3. Inorganic compounds: This is the final product of decomposition, as it is produced by the abiotic degradation of organic material. These compounds include nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus.

Question:

Fill in the blanks. (a) Plants are called as ………. because they fix carbon dioxide. (b) In an ecosystem dominated by trees, the pyramid (of numbers) is ………. type. (c) In aquatic ecosystems, the limiting factor for the productivity is ………. (d) Common detritivores in our ecosystem are ………. (e) The major reservoir of carbon on earth is ……….

Answer:

(a) Autotrophs (b) inverted (c) light (d) earthworms (e) oceans

Question:

Define ecological pyramids and describe with examples, pyramids of number and biomass.

Answer:

Definition: Ecological pyramids are graphical representations of the structure of an ecosystem. They are used to show the relationship between the different components of an ecosystem and how energy flows through the system.

Pyramids of Number: A pyramid of number is a graphical representation of the number of organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem. For example, the pyramid of number for a grassland ecosystem might look like this:

Producer: Grass Primary Consumer: Rabbits Secondary Consumer: Foxes Tertiary Consumer: Hawks

Pyramids of Biomass: A pyramid of biomass is a graphical representation of the total amount of biomass at each trophic level in an ecosystem. For example, the pyramid of biomass for a grassland ecosystem might look like this:

Producer: Grass (1000g) Primary Consumer: Rabbits (100g) Secondary Consumer: Foxes (10g) Tertiary Consumer: Hawks (1g)

Question:

What is the percentage of photosynthetically active radiation(PAR), in the incident solar radiation. A 100% B 50% C 1 - 5% D 2 - 10%

Answer:

Answer: C 1 - 5%