Botany 200 EcoSystem Ecology

Plants are an example of autotrophs because they are capable of producing their own food through the process of photosynthesis. They have specialized structures, such as chloroplasts, that contain chlorophyll and enable them to convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen. This ability to synthesize organic molecules from inorganic substances distinguishes autotrophs from heterotrophs, like humans and animals, which rely on consuming other organisms for their energy and nutrients.

Detritivores are organisms that obtain their energy by consuming dead organic matter, such as leaves, dead plants, and animal remains. They play a crucial role in the ecosystem by breaking down these decomposing substances into simpler forms, which in turn enriches the soil and releases nutrients back into the environment. Therefore, the correct answer is decomposing substances.

Net primary productivity refers to the energy that is left after the energy used by the plants for their own respiration is subtracted from the total energy captured through photosynthesis. It represents the amount of energy available for consumption by the primary consumers in the ecosystem. Therefore, the correct answer is "Net".

Gross primary production refers to the total amount of energy assimilated by plants through photosynthesis. This includes all the energy that is produced by plants, regardless of whether it is used for growth, respiration, or other metabolic processes. Net primary production, on the other hand, refers to the energy that is left after subtracting the energy used for respiration from the gross primary production. Therefore, the correct answer is Gross.

Food chains are simplified depictions of energy flow within an ecosystem, showing the transfer of energy from one organism to another as they feed on each other. They illustrate the linear sequence of who eats whom in an ecosystem, starting with producers (plants) and ending with decomposers (organisms that break down dead organic matter). Food chains help us understand the flow of energy and nutrients in an ecosystem and the interdependence of different organisms within it.

A G Tansley is credited with coining the term "ecosystem." He introduced the concept in a 1935 publication titled "The Use and Abuse of Vegetational Concepts and Terms." Tansley defined an ecosystem as a dynamic system consisting of a community of organisms interacting with each other and their environment. His contribution to ecology and the development of the ecosystem concept has been significant, making him the correct answer to this question.

Biomass is the best indicator of organisms and their production because it refers to the total mass of living organisms in a given area. It provides a measure of the amount of energy and nutrients available in an ecosystem, which directly influences the productivity of organisms. Biomass reflects the overall health and abundance of organisms in an ecosystem, making it a reliable indicator of their production.

Ecosystem ecology focuses on the flow and transfer of energy within ecosystems. It examines how energy is acquired by organisms through photosynthesis or consumption, and how it is transferred from one organism to another through food chains and food webs. Understanding the movement of energy is crucial in studying the interactions and dynamics of ecosystems, as it determines the productivity, structure, and functioning of the ecosystem.

Animals are an example of heterotrophs because they obtain their energy by consuming other organisms. Unlike plants, which can produce their own food through photosynthesis, and humans, who can obtain energy from both plants and animals, animals rely on consuming organic matter to meet their energy needs. They are unable to produce their own food and must obtain it from external sources, making them heterotrophs.

Primary production refers to the process by which plants convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. This energy is then stored in the form of organic compounds, such as glucose, in the plants' tissues. Therefore, primary production is the energy that is accumulated by plants as a result of their ability to capture and convert sunlight into usable energy.

DDT almost caused the extinction of Bald Eagles. DDT is a type of pesticide that was widely used in the mid-20th century. It accumulated in the bodies of animals, including fish, which are a main food source for Bald Eagles. As a result, the DDT caused thinning of the eggshells, making them more likely to break during incubation. This led to a decline in the Bald Eagle population, with only a few hundred individuals left in the United States by the 1960s. Thanks to conservation efforts and the banning of DDT, the Bald Eagle population has since recovered.

Each feeding level in an ecosystem is referred to as a trophic level. A trophic level represents the position of an organism in a food chain or food web, indicating its source of energy and its role as a producer or consumer. Organisms at higher trophic levels consume those at lower trophic levels, transferring energy and nutrients through the food chain. Therefore, the correct answer is "trophic level."

The given equation represents the flow of energy in an ecosystem. Net Primary Productivity (NPP) is the amount of energy that is stored in plants after they have undergone photosynthesis. Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) is the total amount of energy that is captured by plants through photosynthesis. Respiration is the process by which organisms release energy from stored food. Therefore, the correct order of the equation is NPP, GPP, Respiration, as NPP represents the energy stored in plants, GPP represents the total energy captured by plants, and Respiration represents the energy released by organisms.

Biomass is a quantitative measurement of the total mass in a given area. It refers to the total amount of living or organic matter in a specific ecosystem or area. It includes all living organisms, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, as well as their byproducts and waste. Biomass is an important metric for understanding the health and productivity of an ecosystem and is often used in ecological studies and environmental assessments.

An ecosystem consists of three structural and functional parts. These parts include the biotic components (living organisms such as plants, animals, and microorganisms), the abiotic components (non-living elements such as air, water, soil, and sunlight), and the interactions between them. These three components work together to create a balanced and functioning ecosystem.

DDT interfered with egg shell formation. This is because DDT is a pesticide that can accumulate in the bodies of birds, especially those higher up in the food chain. When birds are exposed to DDT, it can disrupt the calcium metabolism in their bodies, leading to thinning of eggshells. This thinning makes the eggs more fragile and prone to breaking, which can negatively impact the reproduction and survival of bird populations.

Detritivores are organisms that feed on dead organic matter, such as decaying plants. They play a crucial role in the ecosystem by breaking down this organic matter and releasing nutrients back into the environment. The given answer of 80% suggests that detritivores are responsible for consuming 80% of the plant matter in an ecosystem. This indicates their significant contribution to the decomposition process and nutrient cycling, highlighting their importance in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

The given answer, "Production," is correct because the phrase "pyramid based on productivity" suggests that the pyramid is organized according to the amount of biomass produced by different organisms in an ecosystem. In ecological pyramids, the producers (plants or autotrophs) occupy the base of the pyramid as they have the highest productivity and biomass. Therefore, "Production" is the appropriate answer that aligns with the concept of a pyramid based on productivity.

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DDT can last in the soil for 10 years. This means that once DDT is applied to the soil, it will take approximately 10 years for half of the DDT to degrade and break down. This long persistence in the soil is a cause for concern as DDT is a persistent organic pollutant that can accumulate in the environment and pose risks to wildlife and human health. It is important to properly manage and regulate the use of DDT to minimize its impact on the environment.

Eltonian and biomass pyramids are inverse of each other because they represent different aspects of an ecosystem. The Eltonian pyramid shows the biomass or energy flow through different trophic levels, with each level representing the total biomass or energy of the organisms at that level. On the other hand, the biomass pyramid represents the total biomass of organisms at each trophic level. Since biomass is directly related to energy, the Eltonian pyramid and biomass pyramid are inversely related. In other words, if the Eltonian pyramid shows a large amount of energy at the producer level, the biomass pyramid will show a small amount of biomass at the producer level, and vice versa.

Evapotranspiration refers to the combined process of evaporation from the soil and transpiration from plants, which results in the amount of water entering the atmosphere from the ground. This measure is important in understanding the water cycle and the overall water balance in an ecosystem. By quantifying evapotranspiration, scientists can assess the amount of water available for plant growth, estimate water loss from agricultural fields, and predict potential drought conditions. Evapotranspiration is influenced by various factors such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and vegetation cover.

The term "standing crop" refers to the weight or quantity of organisms present in a particular area at a specific point in time. It is a measure of the total biomass or population density of organisms in an ecosystem. This concept is often used in ecological studies to assess the productivity and abundance of different species within a given area. By quantifying the standing crop, scientists can gain insights into the dynamics of the ecosystem and the interactions between organisms.