Ecosystem Ecology: Components and Interactions

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What is the primary source of energy for autotrophs?

Inorganic nutrients

Preformed organic matter

An energy source, such as sunlight (correct)

Organic nutrients

What is the term for the process of breaking down dead organic matter?

Detritivory

Scavenging

Herbivory

Decomposition (correct)

What type of organism feeds on the dead remains of animals and plants?

Scavenger (correct)

Carnivore

Herbivore

Detritivore

What is the term for the community of interacting organisms and their physical environment?

Ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

What type of organism is reliant on a preformed source of organic nutrients?

Heterotroph Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the visual representation of energy flow in an ecosystem?

Food web Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of energy stored at each trophic level is available to the next level?

10% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that determines the number of trophic levels in a food chain?

Availability of energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the percentage of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next?

Ecological efficiency Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary driver of biogeochemical cycles?

Energy flow Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the proportion of energy assimilated by an organism that becomes incorporated into new biomass?

Production efficiency Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the activities performed by living organisms?

Biological processes Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for species whose habitat requirements are so large that protecting them would protect many other species existing in the same habitat?

Umbrella species Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an ecosystem engineer?

Gopher tortoises Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a graphic representation of the number of organisms, biomass, or relative energy content of various trophic levels in an ecosystem?

Ecological pyramid Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a single, large, or instantly recognizable species that can be used to promote conservation efforts?

Flagship species Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an indicator species?

Corals Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the effect of ecosystem engineers on their environment?

Ecosystem engineer effect Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of erosion on phosphates?

Phosphates are leached into streams Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of sulfur dioxide in the environment?

Human activities such as burning coal and oil Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate driver of the flow of energy through ecosystems?

The flow of energy from the sun Signup and view all the answers

How do human activities affect the sulfur cycle?

By releasing sulfur dioxide into the environment Signup and view all the answers

What is the key to sustaining life on Earth?

The flow of energy and the cycling of nutrients Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which nitrogen molecules combine with oxygen to form nitrogen oxides?

The enormous energy of lightning Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of adding nitrous oxide to the atmosphere through farming practices?

Depletion of ozone Signup and view all the answers

What is the limiting factor for plant growth in the phosphorous cycle?

Phosphorus Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of clearing forests on the nitrogen cycle?

Releasing nitrogen into the troposphere Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which soil bacteria convert ammonia and ammonium ions to nitrate ions?

Nitrification Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of adding excess phosphates to aquatic systems?

Eutrophication Signup and view all the answers