Nitrogen is often the limiting nutrient (that is, the nutrient in shortest supply relative to demand) across a wide range of ecosystems. This is because: a. nitrogen compounds like ammonia are rapidly stored in rocks and sediments. O b. most nitrogen is in the form of N2, which only specialized bacteria can fix into accessible forms. О с. there is very little nitrogen on Earth, compared with other nutrients. O d. decomposers don't return nitrogen to a usable form.

Nitrogen is often the limiting nutrient (that is, the nutrient in shortest supply relative to demand) across a wide range of ecosystems. This is because: a. nitrogen compounds like ammonia are rapidly stored in rocks and sediments. O b. most nitrogen is in the form of N2, which only specialized bacteria can fix into accessible forms. О с. there is very little nitrogen on Earth, compared with other nutrients. O d. decomposers don't return nitrogen to a usable form.

Concepts of Biology

1st Edition

ISBN:9781938168116

Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise

Publisher:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise

Chapter20: Ecosystems And The Biosphere

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1ACQ: Figure 20.12 Which of the following statements about the nitrogen cycle is false? a. Ammonification...

See similar textbooks

Similar questions

If Earth is filled muchly of di-nitrogen gas, why is the productivity of se many ecosystems limited by availability of nitrogen?
The chronosequence of soil age across the Hawaiian Islands shows which of the following patterns of nutrient change? a. nitrogen and phosphorus increase continuously b. botth nitrogen and phosphorus start high then decrease c. nitrogen increases to a peak, then declines, while weatherable phosphorus declines to low levels fairly quickly (in geological terms) d. phosphorus increases continuously but nitrogen reaches a peak and then declines
Local conditions, such as heavy rainfall or the removal of plants, may limit the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, or calcium available to a particular terrestrial ecosystem, but the amount of carbon available to the ecosystem is seldom a problem. Why?
What are the consequences of having an excess of nutrientssuch as nitrates and phosphates running into a freshwater reser-voir in the process of eutrophication?(a) It could lead to an excess of algal and plant growth.(b) It could lead to a decrease in sunlight penetration andan increase in BOD.(c) It could lead to a long-standing rich and diverse growthof more plants and animals.(d) Both a and b.(e) Both b and c.
Which of the following statements about nutrient inputs and eutrophication is FALSE? O Fossil fuel combustion (e.g. burning gasoline, coal) releases nitrogen which contributes to eutrophication The production of chemical farm fertilizers through industrial fixation of N, is a major source of bioavailable nitrogen and cause of eutrophication O The mining of phosphate rock for fertilizers is a major source of bioavailable phosphorus and cause of eutrophication O Eutrophication can cause oxygen depletion in aquatic systems by increasing the growth of algae which consume a lot of oxygen The production of livestock at large-scale (which generates a lot of manure) can be a cause of eutrophication
Nitrogen availability is a limiting factor in crop production. * D. Disagree, because atmospheric nitrogen is about 80% and therefore nitrogen is readily available. A. Agree, because almost 80% of the atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is readily available. C. Agree, because atmospheric nitrogen must first be reduced to ammonia through N-fixation. B. Disagree, because only a small fraction of the atmosphere is composed of nitrogen gas.
Thelargest reservoir of phosphorus in most ecosystems is phosphorus:a. inthe atmosphere.b.dissolved in water.c. inrocks and sediments.d.bound in animal tissues.e.bound in plant tissues.
Which term is incorrectly matched?(a) biogeochemical cycles—recycling of life-essential ele-ments and water(b) nitrogenase—a nitrogen-fixing enzyme(c) ecosystem—organisms able to carry out bioremediationin a particular niche(d) nitrate—form of nitrogen most usable in plantmetabolism
Altered biogeochemical cycles combined with climate change increase the vulnerability of biodiversity, food security, human health, and water quality to a changing climate. a)How to control human activities to not increase the carbon dioxides level in the atmosphere and nitrogen levels in the biosphere ?
Scientists study bubbles trapped in ancient glacial ice todetermine how concentrations of nitrogen and carbondioxide gas have changed over time. However, bubblesin glacial ice cannot provide information about changesin phosphorus. Explain why air samples are not usefulfor this purpose, and propose an alternative method tostudy how the amount of phosphorus in a region haschanged over time.
There are two types of nutrient pools, atmospheric-hydrospheric, and sedimentary. How are they different?
WRITE ABOUT A THEME: Energy and MatterDecomposition typically occurs quickly in moist tropicalforests. However, waterlogging in the soil of some moisttropical forests results over time in a buildup of organicmatter called “peat.” In a short essay (100–150 words), discussthe relationship of net primary production, net ecosystemproduction, and decomposition for such an ecosystem. AreNPP and NEP likely to be positive? What do you think wouldhappen to NEP if a landowner drained the water from atropical peatland, exposing the organic matter to air?