If you were tracking a nutrient molecule through an ecosystem, which of the following statements would you expect to verify?
A)Molecules move through all ecosystems at the same constant rate, as the laws of physics would predict.
B)Because of the liquid nature of the aquatic ecosystem, nutrient molecules move through it more rapidly than forest ecosystems.
C)Vertical mixing is essential for high productivity in aquatic ecosystems.
D)Most nutrient molecules leave an ecosystem, but are later replaced from another ecosystem.
E)A, B, C, and D are all correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Vertical mixing is important in aquatic ecosystems because it brings nutrients from the deeper water layers up to the surface where photosynthetic organisms can use them. This process is known as upwelling and it contributes to the high productivity of certain aquatic ecosystems, such as coastal areas or oceanic gyres. Options A, B, and D are not necessarily true as the rate of nutrient cycling and movement may vary depending on the ecosystem and the specific nutrient in question.

If You Were Tracking a Nutrient Molecule Through an Ecosystem