Ecosystem Ecology Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What percentage of the earth's surface do oceans cover?

  • 30%
  • 50%
  • 71% (correct)
  • 10%

    • What is the primary factor determining the patterns of primary production?

  • The availability of nutrients
  • The amount of sunlight
  • The temperature of the water
  • All of the above (correct)

    • What is the estimated trophic efficiency, the percentage of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next?

  • 10% (correct)
  • 1%
  • 90%
  • 50%

    • What is the main reason for the low trophic efficiency of herbivores?

    <p>Most producers' organic matter is added to the soil (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major contributing factor to the similarity in the total productivity of oceans and land ecosystems?

    <p>The vast size of the oceans (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between primary production and carbon fixation?

    <p>Primary production is the process of converting inorganic matter into organic matter, while carbon fixation is the specific process of incorporating carbon into organic molecules. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between gross primary production (GPP) and net primary production (NPP)?

    <p>GPP is the total amount of energy captured by autotrophs, while NPP is the amount of energy available to heterotrophs. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors is most important for determining the productivity of a marine ecosystem?

    <p>Nutrient availability (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the energy stored in organic molecules during carbon fixation?

    <p>In the bonds between atoms within the molecules. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between the metabolism of autotrophs and heterotrophs?

    <p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is TRUE about NPP?

    <p>NPP represents the amount of energy available to higher trophic levels. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason for the lower productivity of marine ecosystems compared to terrestrial ecosystems?

    <p>Nutrient availability is generally lower in marine ecosystems. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences terrestrial ecosystem productivity?

    <p>Salinity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Ocean productivity

    The total productivity of the oceans is comparable to that of terrestrial lands.

    Primary production

    The rate at which energy is converted by photosynthetic and chemosynthetic autotrophs to organic substances.

    Trophic efficiency

    The percentage of energy fixed at one trophic level that is passed to the next level, typically around 10%.

    Kelp forests and reefs

    These ecosystems have high productivity but occupy a small area compared to terrestrial biomes.

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    Soil food web

    A web of organisms based on dead organic matter, separate from above-ground food webs.

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    Biomass

    The total weight of living things in an ecosystem.

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    Autotrophs

    Organisms that produce their own organic matter using carbon dioxide.

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    Carbon Fixation

    The process of converting inorganic carbon into organic molecules.

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    Gross Primary Production (GPP)

    The total rate of organic matter production by autotrophs, harnessed from sunlight.

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    Net Primary Production (NPP)

    The remaining organic matter after autotrophs respire; it's what's available to other trophic levels.

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    Trophic Levels

    The levels of energy flow in an ecosystem, determined by producers and consumers.

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    Ecosystem Productivity

    Comparison of productivity between terrestrial and marine ecosystems, influenced by nutrients and environmental factors.

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    Study Notes

    Ecosystem Ecology

    • Biomass: Total weight of living organisms in an ecosystem.
    • Primary Production: Process of capturing energy by autotrophs.
    • Metabolism: Categorized into autotrophic and heterotrophic, referring to carbon flow, not energy.
    • Organism's metabolism: Determines its position in the food chain.
    • Autotrophs: Produce organic matter, are self-feeding producers.
    • Autotrophs use CO2: Convert inorganic CO2 to organic molecules.
    • Example (sugars): Combine six carbon atoms (a complex process), utilizing hydrogen from water, releasing oxygen.
    • Organic molecules: Can be converted into other organic molecules.
    • Carbon Fixation: Carbon becomes part of an organic molecule.
    • Organic Matter Production: Equivalent to carbon fixation resulting in stored energy in chemical bonds.
    • Primary Production definition: Grams of carbon per square meter per year.
    • Primary Production: Rate of energy capture by autotrophs, or rate of organic matter production.
    • Plant Energy Source: Plants make their own organic molecules then consume them.
    • Plant Respiration: Plants respire half the matter they produce for their own growth.

    Net Primary Production (NPP)

    • NPP Formula: GPP - Respiration by autotrophs (NPP = GPP - Ra)
    • GPP (Gross Primary Production): Rate of organic matter production, capturing sun's energy.
    • NPP (Net Primary Production): Remaining energy after respiration (growth of parts).
    • Available Energy: Fixed carbon and energy made accessible to higher trophic levels.
    • Producer's NPP: Controls carbon and energy flow.

    Terrestrial and Marine Ecosystems

    • Terrestrial Factors: Precipitation, temperature limit productivity.
    • Marine Factors: Nutrients limit productivity.
    • Marine vs Terrestrial: Oceans (despite huge area), have similar total productivity to terrestrial biomes, but lower productivity per unit area.
    • Reefs/Kelp Forests: High productivity, small aerial coverage.
    • Ecosystem Productivity Determinants: Limitations on producer growth affect overall primary production.

    Energy Flow

    • Trophic Levels: Energy transfer happens at each level.
    • Energy Loss: Energy is lost along the food chain.
    • Trophic Efficiency: Percentage of energy transferred to the next trophic level.
    • Trophic Efficiency Value: ~10%
    • Energy Transfer: Only about 10% of energy from one level goes to the next.
    • Herbivore Trophic Efficiency: Low.
    • Organic Matter Surplus: A lot of producer organic matter becomes soil-based organic matter.
    • Soil Food Web: Soil supports a food web based on dead, organic matter.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on ecosystem ecology with this quiz that covers key concepts such as biomass, primary production, and metabolism. Understand the roles of autotrophs in energy capture and carbon fixation, and their importance in the food chain. Dive deep into the processes that drive energy flow in ecosystems.

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