Suppose you are studying the nitrogen cycling in a pond ecosystem over the course of a month. While you are collecting data, a flock of 100 Canada geese lands and spends the night during a fall migration. What could you do to eliminate error in your study as a result of this event?
A) Find out how much nitrogen is consumed in plant material by a Canada goose over about a 12-hour period, multiply this number by 100, and add that amount to the total nitrogen in the ecosystem.
B) Find out how much nitrogen is eliminated by a Canada goose over about a 12-hour period, multiply this number by 100, and subtract that amount from the total nitrogen in the ecosystem.
C) Find out how much nitrogen is consumed and eliminated by a Canada goose over about a 12-hour period and multiply this number by 100; enter this +/- value into the nitrogen budget of the ecosystem.
D) Do nothing. The Canada geese visitation to the lake would have negligible impact on the nitrogen budget of the pond.
E) Put a net over the pond so that no more migrating flocks can land on the pond and alter the nitrogen balance of the pond.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Option C is the best choice because it takes into account both nitrogen consumption and elimination by the Canada geese and adds or subtracts the appropriate amount from the nitrogen budget of the ecosystem to maintain accuracy. Option A and B only consider either consumption or elimination, respectively. Option D is incorrect because the geese could potentially have a significant impact on the nitrogen budget. Option E is not necessary and not feasible for a month-long study.

Suppose You Are Studying the Nitrogen Cycling in a Pond