Acid precipitation lowered the pH of soil in a terrestrial ecosystem that supported a diverse community of plants and animals. The decrease in pH eliminated all nitrogen-fixing bacteria populations in the area. Which prediction most accurately reflects the impact this will have on the community?
A) Since phosphorus can replace nitrogen as an essential nutrient, the impact will be minimal.
B) Plants can obtain the nitrogen necessary for growth from the atmosphere, but bacterial communities will be negatively impacted.
C) Primary producers will suffer from nitrogen deficiency and the entire community will experience a decrease in carrying capacity.
D) The decrease in pH actually increases the availability of soil nutrients, so other nutrients that were less available cause an increase in primary production and an increase in biomass at other trophic levels.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms that plants can absorb and use. Without these bacteria, plants cannot get enough nitrogen, leading to a deficiency that affects primary producers and, subsequently, the entire ecosystem's carrying capacity.

Acid Precipitation Lowered the PH of Soil in a Terrestrial