Exam 57: Ecosystems

Coral reefs and algal beds have a higher NPP per square meter than even tropical rainforests, the most productive terrestrial ecosystems.Yet, coral reefs and algal beds contribute very little to total NPP on Earth.This is because, compared with rainforests, coral reefs and algal beds

Although carbon dioxide concentrations are steadily rising from year to year, on an annual basis in the Northern Hemisphere, these concentrations are highest in the _______ season.

Governments often fail to adopt policies that would encourage sustainable management and protect ecosystem goods and services.This failure happens for all of the following reasons except that

Of the following types of ecosystems, which one does not receive its energy from the sun?

When CO₂ from the atmosphere dissolves into the oceans, it changes ocean water by

The part of primary production in an ecosystem that is consumed and ultimately converted into heterotrophic biomass is called

Which is a change occurring in Earth's oceans as a result of fossil-fuel burning?

The flood control, wildlife habitat, and spawning grounds for marine organisms that coastal wetlands provide are

Consider how light, temperature, and pressure change as you move downward from the surface into the depths of the ocean.Explain how these changes affect NPP.

Scientists know that increasing CO₂ traps more heat in Earth's atmosphere and causes global temperatures to rise.What type of data provides the strongest evidence of this relationship?

Refer to the map. Based on the map, what is the best conclusion that can be drawn regarding levels of NPP in the world oceans?

A single pitcher plant is defined as a community because it contains an interacting set of tiny plants and animals.If the air, water, and inorganic nutrients surrounding and contained in the pitcher plant are also considered, it is considered a(n) _______.

An animal dies near the forest edge.Almost immediately, its dead flesh is attacked and fed upon by bacteria, worms, insect larvae, and scavengers such as coyotes, crows, and vultures.The dead animal is undergoing the process of

Which ecosystem would have the highest trophic efficiency?

Refer to the figure. In these pyramid diagrams of the open ocean ecosystem, energy flow of primary producers is very large, while their biomass is very small.What does this suggest about the ocean ecosystem?

Refer to the graph, showing a continual increase in CO₂ since measurements began about 1960. Which type of data, when added to the data in this graph, would not provide evidence of a connection between rising CO₂ levels and rising global temperatures?

In a region of the open ocean, nutrients are available to enable photosynthesis of phytoplankton and algae, the main primary producers.However, NPP decreases deeper in the ocean, where NPP is likely being limited by _______.

Refer to the figure. The activities of the nitrogen cycle, as represented in the figure, are

All of the biomass in an ecosystem that is produced by animals and other non-primary producers is called _______.

Refer to figure. The diagram represents top-down control of two food webs with three trophic levels.The food web represented on the left includes omnivores, and the one on the right does not.Which effect of omnivores most directly results in the decreased size of the primary producer level shown on the left?