Ecology Of Ecosystem Processes 2

Question 1

Which process converts atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Answer

Denitrification

Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Ammonification

Question 2

What term describes the total amount of solar energy fixed by producers in an ecosystem per unit time?

Accepted Answer

Gross primary productivity

Answer

Net primary productivity

Answer

Secondary productivity

Answer

Ecosystem respiration

Question 3

In the phosphorus cycle, which reservoir holds the largest long-term store of phosphorus?

Accepted Answer

Sedimentary rock

Answer

Ocean water

Answer

Living biomass

Answer

Soil solution

Question 4

What is the fate of most energy that passes through a trophic level?

Accepted Answer

It is lost as heat

Answer

It is stored in biomass

Answer

It is transferred to the next level

Answer

It is recycled through decomposers

Question 5

Which nutrient cycle is considered most tightly coupled to the carbon cycle in ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen cycle

Answer

Phosphorus cycle

Answer

Sulfur cycle

Answer

Calcium cycle

Question 6

Which of the following best describes 'ecosystem engineers'?

Accepted Answer

Organisms that physically modify habitat structure

Answer

Organisms that occupy the top trophic level

Answer

Species with the highest biomass in an ecosystem

Answer

Organisms that fix atmospheric gases

Question 7

What process returns organic nitrogen to inorganic ammonium in the soil?

Accepted Answer

Ammonification

Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Denitrification

Answer

Assimilation