Ecosystem Test - 1

There are very few decomposers in a desert ecosystem. Due to poor vegetation, the amount of dead organic matter is correspondingly less. There are some fungi and bacteria in a desert ecosystem most of which are thermophilic.

Net primary productivity considers losses due to respiration and decomposition. It is given by gross productivity minus losses due to production.

Primary productivity depends upon plant species (flora) inhabiting a particular area. It also depends upon several environmental factors like availability of nutrients and photosynthetic capability of the plants.

Birds in a tree ecosystem can be omnivores. Hence, occupy trophic level 3. Similarly frogs in a grassland ecosystem occupy trophic level 3.

Rate of decomposition is slow if the soil is rich in lignin and chitin.

Grazing food chain is a major conduit for energy flow in aquatic ecosystem.

Submerged state of succession in water is characterised by the presence of utricularia. Utricularia is a submerged aquatic plant and on death adds organic matter to the bottom.

Primary stage of succession in xerosere develops on extremely xeric rock. Here, the water and nutrients are extremely scarce and conditions are hostile by exposure to the sun and temperature.

Rocks of the Earth's crust contain carbonates and are major contributors of carbon to the carbon cycle.