NPP, NEP, GPP

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Questions and Answers

What is the range of trophic efficiencies in ecosystems?

5-20% (correct)

50-100%

20-50%

0-5%

What is biological magnification and how does it affect birds?

Biological magnification is the process in which certain pollutants become more concentrated as they move up the food chain. It affects birds by accumulating in their tissues and interfering with their reproduction.

What is the range of trophic efficiencies in ecosystems?

50-75%

5-20% (correct)

20-50%

1-5%

What is the percentage range of trophic efficiencies?

5% to 20% Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the decline of top-level carnivores?

Biological magnification Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of the decline of top-level carnivores due to the use of DDT?

The interference with their reproduction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the elements discussed in the text as being cycled in ecosystems?

Iron Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Biological magnification refers to the increase in the concentration of toxic substances as they move up the food chain.

True Signup and view all the answers

Explain the importance of decomposers in ecosystems.

Decomposers play a crucial role in returning nutrients to primary producers, sustaining the cycling of chemical elements or nutrients, and maintaining the balance in ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Production efficiencies are always higher than trophic efficiencies in ecosystems.

True Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Biological magnification is the process by which chemicals become more concentrated as they move up the food chain.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the essential elements discussed in the passage?

Sodium Signup and view all the answers

Efficiency refers to the percentage of production that is transferred from one trophic level to the next. Trophic efficiencies are always lower than production efficiencies because they take into account energy lost through ______ and feces, as well as energy in organic material at lower trophic levels that is not consumed. Answer: Respiration

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True or false: The passage discusses the cycling of only two essential elements in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

False Signup and view all the answers

Trophic efficiencies range from about 5% to 20%, with most being around ______%. Answer: 10

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What is the main reason for the limited abundance of top-level carnivores in food webs?

Inefficient energy transfer Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the loss of energy in a food chain?

Energy lost through respiration and feces Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Trophic efficiencies range from 20% to 30% in most food webs.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of increased CO2 levels on global temperatures?

A gradual rise in global temperatures Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cycles is NOT discussed in the text?

Oxygen cycle Signup and view all the answers

True or false: The general model of chemical cycling mentioned in the passage includes the main reservoirs of elements but not the processes that transfer elements between reservoirs.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are biogeochemical cycles? Give examples.

Biogeochemical cycles are the pathways through which chemical elements or nutrients circulate in ecosystems. Examples include water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles. Signup and view all the answers

True or false: The use of DDT had no impact on bird populations.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the limited abundance of top-level carnivores in food webs?

Energy loss through trophic levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of rising atmospheric CO2 levels and what are the consequences?

The main cause of rising atmospheric CO2 levels is burning fossil fuels and deforestation. The consequences include a gradual rise in global temperatures, alterations in precipitation patterns, and changes in plant communities. Signup and view all the answers

What does the general model of chemical cycling described in the passage include?

Both A and B Signup and view all the answers

True or false: The use of DDT had no negative impact on top-level carnivores.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the main consequence of rising atmospheric CO2 levels?

A gradual rise in global temperatures Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor regulating nutrient cycling in ecosystems?

Vegetation Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Rising atmospheric CO2 levels have no effect on plant communities.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is biological magnification?

The process by which pollutants become more concentrated in the tissues of organisms at higher trophic levels Signup and view all the answers

Why are top-level carnivores limited in abundance in most food webs?

Due to low trophic efficiencies Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Rising atmospheric CO2 levels have no impact on global temperatures and precipitation patterns.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between trophic efficiency and production efficiency?

Trophic efficiency takes into account energy lost through respiration and feces, while production efficiency does not. Signup and view all the answers

Most food webs are limited to ______ or five trophic levels. Answer: Four

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What is the impact of human activities on the nitrogen cycle?

Human activities can alter the nitrogen cycle by adding excess nitrogen to the ecosystem, leading to eutrophication of receiving waters. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of the depletion of atmospheric ozone?

Accumulation of chlorofluorocarbons Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Energy lost through respiration and feces is not taken into account while calculating trophic efficiencies.

False Signup and view all the answers

What type of pyramid represents the total dry mass of all organisms in each trophic level?

Pyramid of biomass Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the four major biogeochemical cycles described in the passage?

Oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of depletion of atmospheric ozone on human health and ecosystems?

Depletion of atmospheric ozone leads to increased amounts of UV radiation reaching the surface of Earth, which can have potential impacts on human health and ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

True or false: The passage describes the four major biogeochemical cycles as water, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen.

False Signup and view all the answers

The dynamics of energy flow through ecosystems have important implications for the human population, as estimates of Earth’s carrying capacity depend greatly on our diet and ______ consumption. Answer: Resource

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What is the main reason for the inverted biomass pyramid in some aquatic ecosystems?

Rapid turnover time of phytoplankton Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Deforestation has no role in the increase of atmospheric CO2 levels.

False Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Deforestation is not a contributor to the increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between pyramids of net production and biomass pyramids?

Net production pyramids represent the multiplicative loss of energy in a food chain, while biomass pyramids represent the total dry mass of all organisms in each trophic level. Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of human activities on chemical cycles in ecosystems?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Nutrient cycling rates in different ecosystems are not affected by variable rates of decomposition.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of the depletion of atmospheric ozone?

The accumulation of chlorofluorocarbons Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor that regulates nutrient cycling according to the passage?

Vegetation Signup and view all the answers

Which biogeochemical cycles are considered global cycles?

Carbon, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen Signup and view all the answers

What efforts have been made to mitigate the impacts of DDT and ozone-depleting chemicals?

Efforts to mitigate the impacts of DDT include banning its use, while the signing of the Montreal Protocol regulates the use of ozone-depleting chemicals. Signup and view all the answers

How does biomagnification occur in food webs?

Biomagnification occurs with fat-soluble compounds that accumulate in organisms at higher trophic levels, leading to higher concentrations in top predators. Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Pyramids of net production represent the additive loss of energy in a food chain.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the Montreal Protocol?

A treaty to regulate the use of ozone-depleting chemicals Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential consequence of soil with excessive amounts of nitrogenous minerals contaminating water supplies?

Dead zones and disappearance of marine life Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor that limits herbivores from consuming more than one-sixth of global net primary production?

Plant defenses Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of trophic efficiency.

Trophic efficiency is the percentage of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next. It follows the 10% rule of thumb, where only 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of chlorofluorocarbons in the depletion of atmospheric ozone?

Chlorofluorocarbons are a group of chemicals that deplete atmospheric ozone by breaking down ozone molecules. Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential impact of increased UV radiation on ecosystems?

Decreased biodiversity Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor that limits herbivores' consumption of global net primary production?

Plant defenses Signup and view all the answers

What is the main consequence of human activities on ecosystems, according to the passage?

Disrupted trophic structure Signup and view all the answers

True or false: The depletion of atmospheric ozone has no potential impacts on human health and ecosystems.

False Signup and view all the answers

In some aquatic ecosystems, the biomass pyramid is inverted and primary consumers outweigh producers due to the rapid turnover time of ______. Answer: Phytoplankton

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What is the main reason for the inverted biomass pyramid in some aquatic ecosystems?

Due to high trophic efficiencies Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Vegetation plays no role in regulating nutrient cycling.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the Montreal Protocol?

A treaty to regulate the use of ozone-depleting chemicals Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Depletion of atmospheric ozone is not a result of human activities.

False Signup and view all the answers

True or false: The width of each tier in a biomass pyramid is proportional to the number of organisms in each trophic level.

False Signup and view all the answers

How are global temperatures affected by the increase in atmospheric CO2 levels?

The increase in atmospheric CO2 levels leads to a gradual rise in global temperatures. Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Chlorofluorocarbons have no role in the depletion of atmospheric ozone.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is turnover time in ecosystems?

Turnover time is the amount of time it takes for a stock or pool of nutrients to cycle through an ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor limiting herbivores' consumption of global net primary production?

Plant defenses Signup and view all the answers

What do pyramids of net production represent?

The multiplicative loss of energy in a food chain Signup and view all the answers

Pyramids of net production represent the multiplicative loss of energy in a food chain. The width of each tier in the pyramid is proportional to the net production of each trophic level, expressed in ______. Answer: Joules

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True or false: In some aquatic ecosystems, the biomass pyramid is inverted and top-level carnivores outweigh primary producers.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between trophic efficiency and production efficiency?

Production efficiency takes into account energy lost through respiration and feces, while trophic efficiency does not. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the variable rates of nutrient cycling in different ecosystems?

Different rates of decomposition Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Human activities have not disrupted the trophic structure, energy flow, and chemical cycling of ecosystems worldwide.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is biological magnification?

The concentration of toxins in the food chain Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential impact of increased UV radiation on human health?

Increased risk of skin cancer Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Increased UV radiation reaching the surface of Earth can have no impact on human health.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of rising CO2 levels on precipitation patterns?

Decreased precipitation patterns Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason for the altered precipitation patterns caused by rising atmospheric CO2 levels?

The increase in global temperatures Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of toxins that demonstrate biological magnification?

Chlorinated hydrocarbons and pesticides like DDT Signup and view all the answers

True or false: The passage suggests that nutrient cycling rates are consistent across all ecosystems.

False Signup and view all the answers

True or false: The banning of DDT and the signing of the Montreal Protocol are efforts to mitigate the impacts of rising CO2 levels.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a plausible distractor for the main reservoirs of elements in the general model of chemical cycling?

The main types of vegetation in the ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the inverted biomass pyramid in some aquatic ecosystems?

Rapid turnover time of phytoplankton Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential consequences of altered precipitation patterns caused by rising atmospheric CO2 levels?

The potential consequences of altered precipitation patterns include changes in plant communities and increased frequency of extreme weather events. Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Biogeochemical cycles involve only abiotic components of ecosystems.

False Signup and view all the answers

Levels also affect production efficiency, with higher trophic levels having lower production efficiencies because they must consume more biomass to obtain the same amount of energy as lower trophic ______. Answer: Levels

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How do hippos alter ecosystems?

Hippos alter ecosystems by redirecting nutrient flows and transferring nutrients to water bodies through their waste. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two general categories of biogeochemical cycles?

Global and local Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the banning of DDT?

Its persistence in the environment Signup and view all the answers

What are the two general categories of biogeochemical cycles?

Global and local Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Efforts to mitigate the impacts of human activities on the environment have been successful.

Signup and view all the answers

What is the main impact of the depletion of atmospheric ozone on human health?

Increased risk of skin cancer Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of decomposition rates in nutrient cycling?

Higher decomposition rates lead to faster nutrient cycling Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Montreal Protocol in addressing the depletion of atmospheric ozone?

The Montreal Protocol is significant because it is an international agreement that regulates the use of ozone-depleting chemicals, which helps to reduce the depletion of atmospheric ozone. Signup and view all the answers

True or false: The passage does not mention the importance of chemical cycling in maintaining ecological balance.

False Signup and view all the answers

True or false: The dynamics of energy flow through ecosystems have no implications for the human population.

False Signup and view all the answers

Why is understanding energy flow and chemical cycling crucial for managing and conserving ecosystems?

Because it provides insight into the dynamics of ecosystems and their resources Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for higher trophic levels having lower production efficiencies?

They must consume more biomass to obtain the same amount of energy as lower trophic levels Signup and view all the answers

True or false: The depletion of atmospheric ozone can lead to a decrease in global temperatures.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a plausible distractor for the main consequence of human activities on ecosystems?

Increased biodiversity Signup and view all the answers

What is the law of conservation of mass? How does it relate to nutrient cycles?

The law of conservation of mass states that matter cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. It applies to nutrient cycles, where the biogeochemical cycles involve organic and inorganic and available and unavailable nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

Biogeochemical cycles involve both biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems, and there are two general categories of cycles: ______ and local. Answer: Global

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What is the main reason for understanding energy flow and chemical cycling in ecosystems?

To manage and conserve ecosystems and the resources they provide Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason for the banning of DDT?

Its persistence in the environment and its accumulation in the tissues of birds Signup and view all the answers

True or false: The Montreal Protocol was signed to regulate the use of fossil fuels.

False Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

levels also affect production efficiency, with higher trophic levels having lower production efficiencies because they must consume more biomass to obtain the same amount of energy as lower trophic levels.

Overall, energy flow and chemical cycling are essential processes in ecosystems that are governed by physical laws and limiting factors. Understanding these processes is crucial for managing and conserving ecosystems and the resources they provide.Efficiency refers to the percentage of production that is transferred from one trophic level to the next. Trophic efficiencies are always lower than production efficiencies because they take into account energy lost through respiration and feces, as well as energy in organic material at lower trophic levels that is not consumed. Trophic efficiencies range from about 5% to 20%, with most being around 10%. This means that only 10% of energy at one trophic level is typically transferred to the next, resulting in a loss of 90% of available energy over the length of a food chain. This loss limits the abundance of top-level carnivores, and most food webs are limited to four or five trophic levels. Pyramids of net production represent the multiplicative loss of energy in a food chain. The width of each tier in the pyramid is proportional to the net production of each trophic level, expressed in joules. Biomass pyramids represent the total dry mass of all organisms in each trophic level. Most biomass pyramids narrow sharply from primary producers to top-level carnivores because energy transfers are so inefficient. In some aquatic ecosystems, the biomass pyramid is inverted and primary consumers outweigh producers due to the rapid turnover time of phytoplankton. The dynamics of energy flow through ecosystems have important implications for the human population, as estimates of Earth’s carrying capacity depend greatly on our diet and resource consumption. Herbivores consume less than one-sixth of global net primary production due to a variety of factors, including plant defenses, low nutrient concentrations, and biotic factors such as competition and predation. Biogeochemical cycles involve both biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems, and there are two general categories of cycles: global and local. Gaseous forms of carbon, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen occur in the atmosphere, and cycles of these elements are global.

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Description

Test your knowledge of energy flow and biogeochemical cycles in ecosystems with this informative quiz. From trophic efficiencies to pyramids of net production, this quiz will challenge your understanding of the physical laws and limiting factors that govern these essential processes. Discover how energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, and learn about the different types of biogeochemical cycles that occur in both global and local ecosystems. With important implications for managing and conserving our planet's resources, this