The best way to describe an ecosystem would be that they are:
1. | processors of energy and transformers of matter. |
2. | processors of matter and transformers of energy. |
3. | processors of matter and energy. |
4. | transformers of matter but not of energy. |
The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is:
1. increasing
2. decreasing
3. holding steady
4. fluctuating wildly
The ecosystem that can survive in the absence of the Sun would be:
1. | tropical rainforest | 2. | tundra |
3. | benthic ocean | 4. | desert |
An important feature of the phosphorus cycle is that its reservoir is in:
1. aquifers
2. soil and rocks
3. the atmosphere
4. the sun
Most organic carbon on Earth is found in:
1. Atmosphere
2. Oceans
3. Biomass
4. Sedimentary rocks
The generation of biomass of heterotrophic (consumer) organisms in a system is termed:
1. | biogeochemical cycles | 2. | net primary productivity |
3. | gross primary productivity | 4. | secondary productivity |
In an open ocean, the pyramid of biomass is often inverted. How can this support higher trophic levels?
1. | The food produced by primary producers is of high quality |
2. | The primary producers grow and reproduce at high rates |
3. | Primary producers are very abundant. |
4. | The predators at higher trophic levels are very efficient |
Converting nitrate to nitrogen gas by anaerobes like Pseudomonas is:
1. | nitrogen fixation | 2. | ammonification |
3. | denitrification | 4. | eutrophication |
The highest net primary productivity per square meter is of:
1. | open ocean | 2. | boreal forest |
3. | tropical rainforest | 4. | temperate forest |
A secondary consumer amongst the following is:
1. | a carnivore | 2. | a herbivore |
3. | a plant | 4. | apex predator |