Question 1

Based on our knowledge of the factors influencing primary productivity,the lowest level of net primary production would most likely be found in forests located in

Accepted Answer

Forests located in northern Canada have shorter growing seasons, lower temperatures, and less available sunlight compared to other forested areas. These factors can limit plant growth and result in a lower level of net primary production.

Question 2

Earth acts as a(n)_______ system in terms of materials and a(n)_______ system in terms of energy.

Accepted Answer

In terms of materials, the Earth system is considered to be closed because it is a finite system with a limited amount of resources. However, in terms of energy, the Earth system is considered to be open because it is constantly receiving energy input from the sun.

Question 3

Which series represents the correct ranking of average NPP,from greatest to smallest?

Accepted Answer

Marshes typically have the highest average Net Primary Productivity (NPP), followed by estuaries, and then rivers.

Question 4

In ocean environments,the highest net primary productivity tends to be in coastal zones and upwelling zones,because they

Accepted Answer

Coastal zones and upwelling zones receive constant inputs of nutrients, often from rivers and ocean currents respectively. This creates ideal conditions for phytoplankton growth and high net primary productivity.

Question 5

Large-scale interconnections among ecosystems occur by all of the following processes except

Accepted Answer

Trophic interactions within an ecosystem do not involve large-scale interconnections among ecosystems. They occur within a single ecosystem and involve interactions between different levels of the food chain.

Question 6

Primary productivity is likely to decrease in very wet environments,where soils are water-saturated,because plants receive

Accepted Answer

Too little dissolved oxygen can lead to waterlogged conditions, which can inhibit root respiration and nutrient uptake, resulting in decreased primary productivity.

Question 7

NPP in aquatic ecosystems is most often limited by

Accepted Answer

Aquatic ecosystems often have limited nutrient availability, which leads to limited primary productivity. However, light is also a key factor in photosynthesis and can influence primary productivity as well. Therefore, the most common limitation for NPP in aquatic ecosystems is likely the availability of both light and nutrients.

Question 8

To maximize net primary productivity,the best combination of climatic conditions is

Accepted Answer

The answer of To maximize net primary productivity,the best combination...

Question 9

Scientists currently estimate NPP using which type of measurement?

Accepted Answer

Scientists estimate Net Primary Productivity (NPP) by measuring the wavelengths of light reflected from Earth's surface, which helps determine the amount of photosynthesis occurring in plants. This method is often used in remote sensing technologies.

Question 10

Organic materials are converted from a form that is accessible to life to a form that is inaccessible to life by the process of

Accepted Answer

Compaction is the process by which organic materials are compressed and transformed into a form that is inaccessible to life, such as fossil fuels.

Question 11

In 1957,Dave Keeling used new sensitive instruments to begin to

Accepted Answer

Dave Keeling began to obtain accurate measurements of atmospheric CO₂ (carbon dioxide) using new sensitive instruments in 1957. His work contributed to the understanding of the role of carbon dioxide in the greenhouse effect and global warming.

Question 12

Refer to the diagram below.Materials undergoing the processes of uplift or erosion would be leaving a(n)_______ form and most likely be entering the _______ compartment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Refer to the diagram below.Materials undergoing the...

Question 13

Which statement best describes the interaction of energy and materials,or process of ecosystem function,within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Energy enters the ecosystem through primary producers and flows through the food chain, ultimately being lost as heat. Materials, on the other hand, cycle through the ecosystem, being taken up by organisms and eventually returned to the environment through decomposition and nutrient cycling. So, materials cycle while energy is used one way.

Question 14

The first time scientists hypothesized that changes in CO₂ concentrations could cause climatic changes by trapping heat in the lower atmosphere was

Accepted Answer

In 1856, Eunice Newton Foote hypothesized that changes in CO2 concentrations could affect climate by trapping heat, which was before the U.S. Civil War.

Question 15

Plants absorb most of the nutrients they need for growth and reproduction as ions dissolved in water.Which element do they obtain from air?

Accepted Answer

Plants obtain carbon from the air through the process of photosynthesis.

Question 16

Agricultural soil in a relatively dry region of the United States has been tilled for many years and has undergone both erosion and irrigation.An inadequacy of which factor is most likely to limit plant productivity in this soil?

Accepted Answer

Erosion and irrigation can lead to nutrient depletion, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, which are essential for plant growth and productivity.

Question 17

In general, given sufficient precipitation, what relationship does NPP show to latitude?

Accepted Answer

NPP is highest at low (equatorial) latitudes due to the high amount of solar radiation and warmth compared to high latitudes. This allows for year-round growth and more abundant plant life, leading to higher NPP. As latitudes increase, there is less solar radiation and warmth, leading to lower NPP.

Question 18

On average,NPP from cultivated land ecosystems is higher than NPP from _______ ecosystems.

Accepted Answer

The answer of On average,NPP from cultivated land ecosystems is...

Question 19

Which ocean environment is likely to have the lowest net primary productivity?

Accepted Answer

The open ocean is the environment with the lowest net primary productivity due to a lack of nutrient inputs and limited availability of light for photosynthesis.

Question 20

The second law of thermodynamics states that in every energy exchange,some energy is lost as heat;that is,it becomes unavailable for further use.Which of the following makes it possible for life to continue on Earth?

Accepted Answer

The second law of thermodynamics states that some energy is lost as heat in every energy exchange. However, life on Earth continues because Earth is an open system and continually receives new energy from the sun. This incoming energy allows living organisms to maintain their organization and carry out metabolic processes. Therefore, choice C is the best answer. The other choices do not provide a sufficient explanation for how life can continue despite the second law of thermodynamics.

Quiz 45: The Global Ecosystem

Based on our knowledge of the factors influencing primary productivity,the lowest level of net primary production would most likely be found in forests located in

Earth acts as a(n) _ system in terms of materials and a(n) _ system in terms of energy.

Which series represents the correct ranking of average NPP,from greatest to smallest?

In ocean environments,the highest net primary productivity tends to be in coastal zones and upwelling zones,because they

Large-scale interconnections among ecosystems occur by all of the following processes except

Primary productivity is likely to decrease in very wet environments,where soils are water-saturated,because plants receive

NPP in aquatic ecosystems is most often limited by

To maximize net primary productivity,the best combination of climatic conditions is

Scientists currently estimate NPP using which type of measurement?

Organic materials are converted from a form that is accessible to life to a form that is inaccessible to life by the process of

In 1957,Dave Keeling used new sensitive instruments to begin to

Refer to the diagram below.Materials undergoing the processes of uplift or erosion would be leaving a(n) _ form and most likely be entering the _ compartment.

Which statement best describes the interaction of energy and materials,or process of ecosystem function,within an ecosystem?

The first time scientists hypothesized that changes in CO₂ concentrations could cause climatic changes by trapping heat in the lower atmosphere was

Plants absorb most of the nutrients they need for growth and reproduction as ions dissolved in water.Which element do they obtain from air?

Agricultural soil in a relatively dry region of the United States has been tilled for many years and has undergone both erosion and irrigation.An inadequacy of which factor is most likely to limit plant productivity in this soil?

In general, given sufficient precipitation, what relationship does NPP show to latitude?

On average,NPP from cultivated land ecosystems is higher than NPP from _______ ecosystems.

Which ocean environment is likely to have the lowest net primary productivity?

The second law of thermodynamics states that in every energy exchange,some energy is lost as heat;that is,it becomes unavailable for further use.Which of the following makes it possible for life to continue on Earth?

Quiz 45: The Global Ecosystem

Based on our knowledge of the factors influencing primary productivity,the lowest level of net primary production would most likely be found in forests located in

Earth acts as a(n) _______ system in terms of materials and a(n) _______ system in terms of energy.

Which series represents the correct ranking of average NPP,from greatest to smallest?

In ocean environments,the highest net primary productivity tends to be in coastal zones and upwelling zones,because they

Large-scale interconnections among ecosystems occur by all of the following processes except

Primary productivity is likely to decrease in very wet environments,where soils are water-saturated,because plants receive

NPP in aquatic ecosystems is most often limited by

To maximize net primary productivity,the best combination of climatic conditions is

Scientists currently estimate NPP using which type of measurement?

Organic materials are converted from a form that is accessible to life to a form that is inaccessible to life by the process of

In 1957,Dave Keeling used new sensitive instruments to begin to

Refer to the diagram below.Materials undergoing the processes of uplift or erosion would be leaving a(n) _______ form and most likely be entering the _______ compartment.

Which statement best describes the interaction of energy and materials,or process of ecosystem function,within an ecosystem?

The first time scientists hypothesized that changes in CO2 concentrations could cause climatic changes by trapping heat in the lower atmosphere was

Plants absorb most of the nutrients they need for growth and reproduction as ions dissolved in water.Which element do they obtain from air?

Agricultural soil in a relatively dry region of the United States has been tilled for many years and has undergone both erosion and irrigation.An inadequacy of which factor is most likely to limit plant productivity in this soil?

In general, given sufficient precipitation, what relationship does NPP show to latitude?

On average,NPP from cultivated land ecosystems is higher than NPP from _______ ecosystems.

Which ocean environment is likely to have the lowest net primary productivity?

The second law of thermodynamics states that in every energy exchange,some energy is lost as heat;that is,it becomes unavailable for further use.Which of the following makes it possible for life to continue on Earth?

Earth acts as a(n) _ system in terms of materials and a(n) _ system in terms of energy.

Refer to the diagram below.Materials undergoing the processes of uplift or erosion would be leaving a(n) _ form and most likely be entering the _ compartment.

The first time scientists hypothesized that changes in CO₂ concentrations could cause climatic changes by trapping heat in the lower atmosphere was