Ecosystem 1195

CHAPTER 36
ECOSYSTEM

NCERT BIOLOGICS ©
ECOSYSTEM
1. An ecosystem can be visualised as a structural and
functional unit of nature, where living organisms
interact among themselves and also with the
surrounding physical environment.
2. Ecosystem varies greatly in size from a small pond to a
large forest or a sea.
3. Two basic types of ecosystem are :
Aquatic
Terrestrial
E.g., forest grassland
E.g., pond, lake, river,
estuary and wetland
and desert
4. Crop fields and aquarium are man-made
ecosystems or anthropogenic ecosystems.
ECOSYSTEM–STRUCTURE
The two important structural components are:
1. Stratification: It is the vertical distribution of
different species occupying different levels. For
example, trees occupy top vertical strata or layer,
shrubs the second and herbs and grasses occupy the
bottom layers.
2. Species Composition: It is the enumeration of plant
and animal species of the ecosystem. Maximum species
composition occurs in tropical rain forests and coral
reefs and minimum in deserts and arctic regions.
ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONS
The components of the ecosystem are seen to function as a
unit when we consider the following aspects:
(I) Productivity (II) Decomposition
(III) Energy flow (IV) Nutrient cycling
I. PRODUCTIVITY
1. It is the rate of biomass production.
2. Primary production is defined as the amount of
biomass or organic matter produced per unit area by
plants during photosynthesis. It is expressed in terms
of weight (gm m -2 ) or energy (kcal m -2 ). The rate
of biomass production is called productivity. It is
expressed in terms of (gm m -2 ) yr -1 or (kcal
m – 2 ) yr -1 to compare the productivity of different
ecosystems.
3. Primary productivity is of two types: gross primary
productivity and net primary productivity.
(a) Gross primary productivity (GPP): It is
the rate of production or synthesis of
organic matter by producers during
photosynthesis per unit area and time. A
considerable amount of GPP is utilised by plants
in respiration.
(b) Net primary productivity (NPP): It is the
rate of organic matter build up or stored by
the producers in excess of respiratory utilization
per unit area and time. NPP is gross primary
productivity minus respiration loss (R),
NPP= GPP – R
4. Net primary productivity is the available
biomass for the consumption to heterotrophs
(herbivores and decomposers).
5. Primary productivity depends on the plant species
inhabiting a particular area. It also depends on a
 1196 NCERT Biology Booster

variety of environmental factors, availability of further degradation of humus by some microbes

nutrients and photosynthetic capacity of plants. (e. g ., saprotrophic bacteria and fungi)
Therefore, it varies in different types of ecosystems. 4. Factor affecting decomposition :
The annual net primary productivity of the whole (i) Decomposition is largely an oxygen-
biosphere is approximately 170 billion tons (dry requiring process.
weight) of organic matter. Of this, despite occupying (ii) The rate of decomposition is controlled by
about 70% of the surface, the productivity of the chemical composition and climatic factors.
oceans are only 55 billion tons. (iii) In a particular climatic condition, decompo-
The main reasons for low productivity of oceans are: sition rate is slower if detritus is rich in lignin
(a) Sunlight as limiting factor: Sunlight and chitin, and quicker, if detritus is rich in
decreases with depth. nitrogen and water-soluble substances like
(b) Nitrogen as limiting factor: Nitrogen is the sugars.
most limiting nutrient of marine ecosystem. (iv) Temperature and soil moisture are the most
6. Secondary productivity : It is defined as the rate of important climatic factors that regulate
formation of new organic matter by consumers. decomposition through their effects on the
activities of soil microbes.
II. Decomposition
(v) Warm and moist environment favour
1. Earthworm is referred as farmer’s friend because decomposition whereas low temperature and
they help in the breakdown of complex organic matter anaerobiosis inhibit decomposition resulting in
as well as loosening of the soil. Similarly, decomposers build up of organic materials.
(e. g ., bacteria and fungi) breakdown complex organic
matter into inorganic substances like carbon dioxide, Note: Nutrient Immobilisation : It is the phenomenon of
water and nutrients and the process is called incorporation of nutrients in living orgnisms. It
decomposition. protects the nutrients from being washed out from an
2. Dead plant remains like leaves, bark, flowers and dead ecosystem. After the death of microbes, the
remains of animals, including fecal matter, constitute immobilised nutrients become available for
detritus, which is the raw material for solubilisation.
decomposition.
3. The three important steps in the process of III. Energy Flow
decomposition are: 1. Sun is the only source of energy for all ecosystems on
(a) Fragmentation: Detrivores (e. g ., earthworm Earth, except for the deep hydro-thermal ecosystem.
and termite) breakdown detritus into smaller 2. Flow of incident energy is given below.
particles. This process is called fragmentation.
(b) Leaching : By the process of leaching, water Incident solar radiation
soluble inorganic substances go down into the (100%)
soil horizon and get precipitated as unavailable
salts.
(c) Catabolism: By this process bacterial and Photosynthetically Absorbed by Water Vapour/Gases
fungal enzymes degrade detritus into simpler Active Radiation (PAR) Scattered by Dust Particles,
inorganic substances. (appx. 50%) Reflected by Clouds,
(appx. 50%)
The decomposition process produces humus and Energy loss
inorganic nutrients by humification and mineralisation (45- 49%)
respectively. Captured in Photosynthesis
(a) Humification : It is the process of (gross primary productivity)
decomposition of detritus to form humus. (1-5% of incident solar
Humus is a dark coloured, amorphous and radiation)
more or less decomposed organic matter. It is
Respiration loss
highly resistant to microbial action and (0.2-1%)
undergoes decomposition at an extremely slow
rate. Being colloidal in nature it serves as a Net Primary Productivity
reservoir of nutrients. (0.8-4% of incident
solar radiation)
(b) Mineralisation: It is the release of inorganic
substances (e. g ., minerals, CO 2 , H 2O) by
 Ecosystem 1197

3. Energy flow in an ecosystem (sun ® producers ® (iii) These cause These cause humification and
consumers) is always unidirectional in accordance with pulverization, i.e., mineralisation of organic
the first law of thermodynamics. Further, fragmentation of matter, e.g., bacteria, fungi,
ecosystems are not exempted from the second law of detritus. slime moulds.
thermodynamics. They need a constant supply of 2. Scavengers are animals which feed on dead/injured
energy to synthesise the molecules they require, to animals, e.g., Vultures, crow, marabou storks and
counteract the universal tendency toward increasing
carrion beetles.
disorderliness.
3. Based on the source of food, organisms occupy a
Food Chain specific place in food chain called tropic level
It is the sequence of trophic levels through which food
travels while passing from producers to ultimate Types of Food Chain
consumers. (I) Grazing Food Chain (GFC) : It consists of
1. Producers: These are autotrophs. In terrestrial producers, consumers and decomposers. The source of
ecosystem, major producers are herbaceous and energy for GFC is sun.
woody plants. In aquatic ecosystems, major Aquatic GFC:
producers are phytoplanktons, algae and floating, Phytoplankton ¾® Zooplankton ¾® Small fish
submerged and marginal plants found at edges. ( T1 ) ( T2 ) ( T3 )

Producers are called converters or transducers ¾® Large finsh

as these convert solar energy into chemical energy of ( T4 )
Terrestrial GFC:
food.
Grass ¾® Goat ¾® Man
2. Consumers : These animals depend directly or (Producer T1 ) (Primary Consumer T2 ) (Secondary Consumer T3 )
indirectly on plants. These are of following types :
GFC is the major conduit for energy flow in an
(a) Primary Consumers (PC) or First Order
aquatic ecosystem.
Consumers : These are herbivores which are
also called key industry animals as for the (II) The Detritus Food Chain (DFC): It begins with
first time in a food chain herbivores convert dead organic matter. It is made up of decomposers
plant matter into animal matter or flesh, e. g ., which are heterotrophic organisms, mainly fungi and
cow, deer, grasshopper (terrestrial), tadpole, bacteria. They meet their energy and nutrient
molluscs, mosquito larva (aquatic). requirements by degrading dead organic matter or
detritus. These are saprotrophs and secrete digestive
(b) Secondary Consumer (SC) or Second
enzymes that breakdown dead and waste materials into
Order Consumer or Primary Carnivores:
simple, inorganic materials, which are subsequently
These animals feed on herbivores. e.g.,
absorbed by them. Inorganic material can be absorbed
Insectivorous birds, lizards, toads, spiders
by plant roots also.
(terrestrial), Frog, Hydra, few fishes (aquatic)
In terrestrial ecosystem, relatively larger fraction of
(c) Tertiary Consumer (TC) or Third Order
energy flows through DFC (because of collection of
Consumers or Secondary Carnivores :
huge amount of detritus) than through GFC.
These animals feed on secondary consumers or
primary carnivores. e.g., Snake (terrestrial), Note:
Large fishes (aquatic).
S.
(d) Top Carnivores : These are not eaten by other No. Grazing Food Chain Detritus Food Chain
organisms and can be at the level of primary,
secondary or tertiary carnivores.e. g ., Lion, tiger , 1. The first trophic level The first trophic level
peacock, falcon etc. organisms are organisms are detrivores and
producers. decomposers.
Note : 2. Source of energy is sun. Source of energy in detritus.
Detrivores Decomposers 3. It adds energy into It retrieves food energy from
ecosystem. detritus and prevents its
(i) These are animals which These are micro-organisms
wastage.
feed on detritus (dead (bacteria and fungi) which
and decayed matter). obtain nourishment from 4. It binds the inorganic It releases the inorganic
organic remains. nutrients into organic nutrients bound up in the
(ii) These ingest the detritus. These decompose organic matter. organic matter.
remains by secreting 5. It provides organic It provides inorganic matter to
digestive enzymes over it. matter to DFC. GFC.
 1198 NCERT Biology Booster

2. DFC may be connected to GFC at some level. Some 2. The three types of ecological pyramids are:
organisms of DFC are prey to GFC animals. (i) Pyramid of Number:
Food Web (a) Upright : In most of the ecosystems, producers
are maximum in number then with each
Food web or food net is interconnection of two or more successive trophic level, the numbers of
type of food chains at different trophic levels in such a way individuals decrease. e. g ., pond and grassland
that a particular food becomes available to two or more type
ecosystem.
of organisms while a consumer has choice of two or more
types of food. T3 Secondary Consumer (SC)
S. Primary Consumer (PC)
Food Chain Food Web T2
No.
T1 Primary Producer (PP)
1. It is a single series of It is an interconnected
trophic levels. network of different food
chains. Fig. 36.1 Upright pyramids of number
2. The occurrence of an The occurrence of food web
(b) Inverted: In this case with each successive
isolated food chain adds adds stability to an
instability to an ecosystem. trophic levels, the number of organisms is
ecosystem. higher than in the preceding one and the size of
3. The members of higher The members of higher
organisms gradually decreases at higher trophic
trophic level feed upon a trophic level can feed upon a levels.
single type of organisms number of alternative e. g ., A large tree supporting a number of
of lower trophic level. organisms of the lower herbivorous birds and these have a number of
trophic levels. ticks, lices etc.
4. Deficiency or excess at Deficiency or excess of one
any trophic level makes a type of organisms at one Ecoparasites (T3) (SC)
food chain unstable. trophic level does not cause
much change in food web due Herbivorous birds (T2) (PC)
to presence of alternate
sources of food. A tree (T1) (PP)

The Ten Percent Law of Energy Transfer

Fig. 36.2 Inverted pyramids of number
1. Ten Percent Law of energy transfer was proposed by
Lindeman 1942. According to this law, when plants (c) Spindle: In this case the T1 organism is small in
are eaten by herbivore, about 10% of energy in the number (e. g ., a tree) and T2 organisms are more
food is fixed into animal flesh whereas 90% is in number than T1 whereas as T3 organisms are
consumed in ingestion, respiration and maintenance of less in number than T2 , e. g ., a single tree
body heat and other activities. Similarly, when a supporting a number of herbivorous birds and
carnivore eats herbivore, again about 10% of energy is these birds are eaten by one or two hawks.
fixed. e. g ., A single tree harbouring a huge number of
insects, these insects are eaten by some small
Producer ¾® Herbivore ¾® Carnivore birds and further even very few large birds eat
(10,000 Kcal) (1,000 Kcal) (100 Kcal) these small birds.
T1 T2 T3 e.g., Forest ecosystem—The producers are large
sized trees which are less in number, the
2. At each transfer only 10% of the total energy is actually
herbivores birds and animals are more in
available to the next trophic level. Thus, the
number than producers. Then there is gradual
residual-energy decreases drastically within 2-3
decrease in the number of carnivores.
trophic levels.
3. From the above discussion it is clear that an ecosystem A hawk (T3) (SC)
will be able to support only a limited number of trophic
level i. e., three to five. Herbivorous birds (T2) (PC)

ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDS A tree (T1) (PP)

1. Ecological pyramid or Eltonian pyramid is a graphical
Fig. 36.3 Spindle shaped pyramids of numbers
representation of trophic levels (w.r.t number/
biomass/energy) in an ecosystem.

(ii) Pyramid of Biomass : (Biomass is the amount of
living matter expressed as dry/fresh weight at any
trophic level.
(a) Upright : In this case, the biomass of
T1 > T2 > T3 and so on.
e. g ., Pyramid of biomass in terrestrial
ecosystems like tree and grassland ecosystem.
Fig. 36.4 Upright Pyramid of biomass
(b) Inverted: In this case, the biomass of
T3 > T2 > T1 .
e. g ., Biomass of phytoplankton may be smaller
than that of zooplankton and that of the latter
less than primary carnivores in an aquatic
ecosystem like sea or pond.
(However, if total biomass produced per unit
time is calculated, the pyramid of biomass will
be upright.)
T3 (SC)
T2 (PC)
T1
(PP)
OR
Herbivorous fishes (T2) (PC)
Phytoplankton (T1) (PP)
Fig. 36.4 lnverted pyramid of biomass
Note:
1. The pyramid of biomass in sea is ecosystem is
generally inverted because the biomass of fishes far
exceeds that of phytoplanktons. Isn’t that a paradox?
How would you explain this?
2. If total biomass produced per unit time is calculated
they pyramid of biomass in sea ecosystem will be
upright. Actually, the productivity of phytoplankton is
so high that a smaller biomass can support a large mass
of consumers.
(iii) Pyramid of Energy : It is always upright because the Successional Communities
flow of energy is unidirectional from producer to
consumer level.
Ecosystem 1199
TC 10 J
10%
SC 100 J
10%
PC 1,000 J
10%
PP 10,000 J
1%
1,000,000 J
of sunlight
Fig. 36.5 Upright pyramid of energy
Note:
1. Limitations of Ecological Pyramid
(a) It considers a simple food chain and not food
web.
(b) It does not consider same species occupying
two or more trophic levels like sparrow and
insectivorous plants.
(c) Decomposers and detrivores have not been
given any place.
2. Standing state/ Standing quality : It represents
the amount of all the inorganic substances present in
an ecosystem per unit area at a given time.
3. Standing crop : It represents the amount of living
matter present in an ecosystem per unit area at a given
time.
ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION
1. An important characteristic of all communities is that
composition and structure constantly change in
response to the changing environmental conditions.
This change is orderly and sequential, parallel with the
changes in the physical environment. These changes
lead finally to a community that is in near equilibrium
with the environment and that is called a climax
community. The gradual and fairly predictable
change in the species composition of a given
area is called ecological succession.
2. During succession some species colonise an area and
their populations become more numerous, whereas
populations of other species decline and even
disappear.
1. Poineer community: It is the first biotic community
that develops in a bare area. e. g ., Lichens on rocks,
phytoplanktons in pond.
2. Transitional or Seral Communities : The pioneer
community is followed by an orderly sequence of series
of plant communities called seral community, e.g.,
 1200 NCERT Biology Booster

Bryophytes, herbs and shrubs in xerosere and of animals. Thus, as succession proceeds, the numbers
submerged plants in pond. and types of animals and decomposers also change.
3. Climax Community : It is the last community in At any time during primary or secondary succession,
biotic succession which is relatively stable and is in natural or human induced disturbances (fire,
near equilibrium with the environment of that area, deforestation, etc.) can convert a particular seral stage
e.g., forests. of succession to an earlier stage (retrogressive
The entire series of communities occurring in the biotic succession). Also such disturbances create new
succession is called sere. conditions that encourage some species and discourage
The individual transitional communities are termed or eliminate other species.
seral stage or seral communities. Changes Occuring During Succession
Note: According to the nature of habitat where succession 1. Change in species diversity occurs. Some species
initiates the types are: become more numerous while other decline or
S. disappear. Overall diversity increases.
Xerarch succession Hydrarch succession 2. The total biomass increases. Humus content also
No.
increases.
1. It is also called xerosere. It is also called hydrosere.
2. It initiates in dry areas like It initiates in aquatic areas 3. Aquatic or dry conditions to mesic (medium water
rock (lithosere) and saline like a pond. condition) conditions i. e., both hydrarch and mesarch
(halosere). succession lead to mesic condition (neither too dry nor
too wet).
Type of succession according to exposure of 4. The number and types of animals and decomposers
the area: change with the change of vegetation.
S.
Primary Succession Secondary Succession Succession of Plants
No.
1. It occurs in biologically It occurs in an area which is 1. Xerarch succession: It occurs on rocks and the
sterile area e. g. , cooled biologically quite fertile but successional series progress from xeric to mesic
volcanic lava, sand-dunes, somehow lost all the living conditions.
bare-igneous rocks, newly organisms that existed there
formed water bodies. e. g. , burnt or cut forests, Lichens ® Bryophytes ® Herbs ® Shrubs ® Forest
flooded lands and abandoned
farm lands. (a) Pioneer Community : It is represented by
2. Humus or organic matter Humus or organic matter is lichens which are able to secrete organic acids
is absent in the early present from the beginning. to degrade rocks, helping in weathering and soil
stages. formation. these later pave way to some very
3. It begins in soil-less area. It begins in areas having some small plants like mosses (bryophytes).
soil/sediment.
(b) Transitional Community
4. Reproductive structures Reproductive structures of
of any living being is previous living beings may be (i) Moss stage : Growth of mosses leads to
present in the beginning. present in the form of seeds, accumulation of more soil and organic
spores, bulbs, tubers, matter which can retain, moisture for a
rhizomes, etc. longer span.
5. It has a number of seral The number of seral (ii) Annual grass stage : During rainy
communities. communities is very few.
6. It takes long time, 1000 It takes lesser time, e. g. ,
season, the compact mat formed by
years or more. 50-200 years. mosses on weathered rock retain enough
moisture and the habitat thus, becomes
The present day communities in the world have come suitable for annual grasses. Organic
to be because of succession that has occurred over matter increases.
millions of years since life started on earth. Actually,
(iii) Perennial grass stage : Annual grass
succession and evolution would have been parallel
stage is dominated by perennial grasses.
processes at that time.
(iv) Shrub stage : Shrubs further dominate
Description of ecological succession usually focuses on
perennial grasses causing more
changes in vegetation. However, these vegetational
accumulation of soil.
changes in turn affect food and shelter for various types

(c) Climax Community : Shrubs are later
replaced by hardy trees. The nature of climax
forest depends upon the climate of that area.
2. Hydrarch Succession: It occurs in aquatic habitat
like pond and the successional series progress from
hydric to mesic conditions.
Phytoplankton Submerged Plant Submerged
Stage Free-Floating
Plant Stage
Reed Marsh Scrub Forest
Swamp Meadow Stage
Stage Stage
(a) Pioneer Community : It is formed by
phytoplanktons (Blue-green algae, diatoms and
minute green algae). Phytoplanktons are
consumed by zooplankton and flourish. The
organic matter formed by death and decay of
planktons, mixes with clay at the bottom of
pond to form soft mud. This paves the pathway
for next stage.
(b) Transitional Communities
(i) Submerged plant stage : These plants
with their roots are anchored in the
bottom fertile mud of pond.
(ii) Submerged free floating plant
stage : The accumulation of dead and
decaying remains of submerged plant
raises the bottom level and the pond also
become rich in minerals which become
favorable for free-floating plant.
(iii) Reed-swamp stage : Further
shallowing of pond occurs due to
continued siltation which favours the
growth of rooted emergent plants called
reeds (amphibious).
(iv) Marsh-meadow stage : Reed-swamp
stage paves the pathway for marshy
plants.
(v) Scrub stage : Marsh-meadow stage
further paves the pathway for shrubs.
(c) Climax Community : The scrub stage is
replaced by tall trees. The nature of climax
depends on the climate of that area.
NUTRIENT CYCLING
1. Biogenetic Nutrients or Biogeochemicals :
These are elements required by organisms for their
body building and metabolism which are provided by
earth and return to earth after death and decay of the
organisms. The amount of biogenetic nutrients present
at anytime in the ecosystem is called standing state.
Ecosystem 1201
The biogenetic nutrient for, e. g ., includes C, H, O, N, P,
S, Zn, Mo, Cu, etc.
2. These are two stores of nutrients :
Reservoir pool Cycling pool
It is the reservoir of biogenetic It is the reservoir of biogenetic
nutrients from which the nutrients which gets emptied
nutrients are slowly transferred and filled repeatedly between
to the cycling pool, e.g., biotic and abiotic components
phosphate in rocks. of the biosphere, e.g., plants
and animals which temporarily
use carbon in their system and
release it back into a particular
reservoir.
3. Types of biogeochemical cycles :
(i) Gaseous cycles :
(a) Nutrient exchange occurs in gaseous/
vapour form.
(b) Reservoir pool is atmosphere/hydro-
sphere.
(c) Biogeochemical is non-mineral, e.g.,
carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen.
(ii) Sedimentary cycle :
(a) Nutrient exchange between biotic and
abiotic components of biosphere are
non-gaseous and the reservoir pool is
lithosphere.
(b) Biogeochemical is mineral, e. g .,
phosphorous and sulphur.
Carbon Cycle
1. Carbon constitutes 49 % of dry weight of organisms
and is next only to water.
2. Taking the total quantity of global carbon, it is found
that 71 % carbon is dissolved in oceans. This oceanic
reservoir regulates the amount of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere .
3. Fossil fuel also represent a reservoir of carbon. Carbon
cycling occurs through living and dead organisms.
4. According to one estimate 4 ´ 1013 kg of carbon is fixed
in the biosphere through photosynthesis annually.
5. A considerable amount of carbon returns to the
atmosphere as CO 2 through respiratory activities of the
producers and consumers.
6. Decomposers also contribute substantially to CO 2 pool
by their processing of waste materials and dead organic
matter of land or oceans.
7. Some amount of fixed carbon is lost to sediments and
removed from circulation.
8. Burning of wood, forest fire and combustion of organic
matter, fossil fuel, volcanic activity are additional
sources for releasing CO 2 in the atmosphere.
 1202 NCERT Biology Booster

9. Human activities have significantly influenced the increased the rate of release of carbon dioxide into the
carbon cycle. Rapid deforestation and massive burning atmosphere.
of fossil fuel for energy and transport have significantly

CO2 in atmosphere

Respi-
ration Respiration Respiration Combustion
Plants
CO2 in Animal
water

Factories,
Decaying matter Power stations,
Photosynthesis, Dissolved Vehicle emission
aquatic carbonate
food +
chain Calcium Decomposers
Energy
Organic Calcareous
sediment shell Fossil fuel-
coal/oil/
Natural gas
Limestone

Fig. 36.6 Simplified model of carbon cycle in the biosphere

Phosphorus Cycle 4. The waste products and the dead organisms are
1. Phosphorus is a major constituent of biological decomposed by phosphate-solubilising bacteria
membranes, nucleic acids and cellular energy transfer releasing phosphorus.
systems. Many animals also need large quantities of 5. Unlike carbon cycle, there is no respiratory release of
phosporus to make shells, bones and teeth. phosphorus into atmosphere.
2. The natural reservoir of phosphorus is rock, which Difference between:
contains phosphorus in the form of phosphates. When S.
rocks are weathered, minute amounts of these Carbon Cycle Phosphorus Cycle
No
phosphates dissolve in soil solution and are absorbed
by the roots of the plants. 1. The major component is The major component is
gaseous. non-gaseous.
3. Herbivores and other animals obtain this element from
plants. 2. Its cyclic pool is present in Its cyclic pool is lithosphere.
hydrosphere and
atmosphere.
Consumers Producers
3. The atmospheric input of The atmospheric input of
carbon through rainfall is phosphorus through rainfall
appreciable. is negligible.
Litter fall 4. Respiratory release of There is no respiratory release
Detritus
carbon occur as CO 2. of phosphorus.

Uptake ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

Soil solution 1. Healthy ecosystems are the base for a wide range of
economic, environmental and aesthetic goods and
Run-off services. The products of ecosystem processes are
named as ecosystem services, for example, healthy
Rock minerals
forest ecosystems purify air and water, mitigate
droughts and floods, cycle nutrients, generate fertile
Fig. 36.7 A simplified model of phosphorus cycling soils, provide wildlife habitat, maintain biodiversity,
in a terrestrial ecosystem

pollinate crops, provide storage site for carbon and also
provide aesthetic, cultural and spiritual values.
2. The value of services of biodiversity is difficult to
determine, it seems reasonable to think that
biodiversity should carry a hefty price tag. Robert
Constanza and his colleagues have very recently tried
to put price tags on nature’s life-support services.
Researchers have put an average price tag of US $ 33
trillion a year on these fundamental ecosystems
services, which are largely taken for granted because
Ecosystem 1203
they are free. This is nearly twice the value of the global
gross national product GNP which is US $ 18 trillion.
3. Out of the total cost of various ecosystem services.
(a) Soil formation 50 %
(b) Recreation is less than 10%
(c) Nutrient cycling is less than 10%
(d) Climate regulation is about 6%
(c) Habitat for wildlife is about 6%
1204 NCERT Biology Booster
Section-A : Questions Based on NCERT Textbook
Ecosystem Structure and Functions
1. The largest anthropogenic ecosystem is :
(a) Aquarium (b) Garden
(c) Orchard (d) Agroecosystem
2. What is the characteristics of anthropogenic
ecosystem?
(a) Simple food chain, little biodiversity
(b) High productivity, little nutrient cycling
(c) Do not possess self regulation
(d) More than one option is correct
3. In ecosystem, why the term ‘cycling’ is used to describe
material transfer, whereas the term ‘flow’ is used for
energy exchange ?
(a) Both material and energy are recycled and are then
transferred to other ecosystems as in flow
(b) Materials are repeatedly used, but energy flows
through and out of the ecosystem
(c) Both material and energy flow in a never-ending
stream within an ecosystem
(d) None of the above
4. Which statement accurately describes how matter and
energy are used in ecosystems ?
(a) Energy is cycled through ecosystems but matter is 10.
not
(b) Energy can be converted into matter but matter
cannot be converted into energy
(c) Matter is cycled through ecosystem but energy is
not
(d) Matter is used in ecosystem but energy is not 11.
5. Which of the following terms encompasses all of the
other ?
(a) Herbivores
(b) Carnivores
(c) Primary consumer
(d) Heterotrophs 12.
6. Read the following statements :
(i) In aquatic ecosystem GFC is the major conduit for
energy flow
(ii) In terrestrial ecosystem, a much larger fraction of
energy flows through DFC than through GFC
(iii) DFC may be connected with the GFC at some
levels
(iv) Heterotrophs can be considered as secondary
producers
(v) Trophic level represents a functional level and
not a species
Which of the above statements are correct ?
(a) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v)
(b) (i) only
(c) (iv) only
(d) (ii), (iii) and (iv)
7. If the sun were to suddenly stop providing energy to
earth, most ecosystems would vanish. Which of the
following ecosystems would likely survive after this
disaster ?
(a) Tundra (b) Benthic ocean
(c) Grassland (d) Desert
8. What percentage of solar radiation striking a plant is
converted into chemical energy ?
(a) 10% (b) 1-5%
(c) 2-10% (d) 25%
9. Substraction of which of the following will convert
gross primary productivity into net primary
productivity?
(a) The energy contained in the standing crop
(b) The energy used by heterotrophs in respiration
(c) The energy used by autotrophs in respiration
(d) The energy fixed by photosynthesis
Which of the following has the highest net primary
productivity per square metre ?
(a) Savanna
(b) Open ocean
(c) Tropical rain forest
(d) Temperate forest
Which data is most useful to measure the primary
productivity in a terrestrial ecosystem ?
(a) Amount of CO 2 fixed
(b) Temperature readings
(c) Annual precipitation
(d) Intensity of solar radiation
Why is net primary production (NPP) a more useful
measurement to an ecosystem ecologist than gross
primary productivity (GPP) ?
(a) NPP is same as the standing crop
(b) NPP shows the rate at which the standing crop is
utilized by consumers
(c) NPP represents the stored chemical energy that is
available to consumers in the ecosystem
(d) NPP can be expressed in terms of carbon fixed by
photosynthesis for an entire ecosystem
 Ecosystem 1205

13. Aquatic primary productivity is most limited by which (d) Satellite detect differences by comparing the
of the following ? wavelengths of light captured and reflected by
(a) Predation by primary consumers photoautotrophs to the amount of light reaching
(b) Increased pressure with depth different ecosystems
(c) Temperature 21. Which of the following lists of organisms is ranked in
(d) Light and nutrient availability correct order from lowest to highest percent in
14. Aquatic ecosystems are least likely to be limited by production efficiency ?
which of the following nutrients ? (a) Insects, fish, mammals
(a) Phosphorus (b) Carbon (b) Fish, insects, mammals
(c) Iron (d) Zinc (c) Mammals, insects, fish
15. In a tropical rain forest maximum energy in ecosystem (d) Mammals, fish, insects
flows through : 22. The amount of chemical energy in consumers’ food that
(a) Parasitic food chain is converted into their own new biomass during a given
(b) Detritus food chain time period is known as :
(c) Grazing food chain (a) Biomass
(d) Microbes (b) Primary production
16. Which of the following is an incomplete ecosystem ? (c) Secondary production
(a) Grassland (b) Cave (d) Standing crop
(c) A single tree (d) Pond 23. Which of the following combinations does not mean
17. The annual net primary productivity (NPP) of the same thing ?
whole biosphere is approximately ________ billion (a) Ecad/Ecophene
tons. The NPP of ocean is ________ billion tons whereas (b) Biosphere/Planet earth’s ecosystem
that of terrestrial ecosystem is _______ billion tons. (c) Gross primary production/Gross primary
(a) 170, 115, 55 (b) 130, 50, 80 productivity
(c) 120 (d) 170, 55, 115 (d) All of the above
18. The reason(s) for low productivity of oceans is that : 24. Trophic efficiency is :
(a) Light decreases with depth (a) The percentage of production transferred from one
(b) Nitrogen becomes limiting trophic level to the next
(c) Both (a) and (b) (b) A measure of how nutrients get destroyed
(d) Nutrients become unlimiting (c) About 90% in most ecosystems
19. Photosynthetic efficiency is : (d) The ratio of net secondary production to
NPP assimilation of primary production
(a) ´ 100
GPP 25. Which of the following is primarily responsible for
GPP limiting the number of trophic levels in most
(b) ´ 100
NPP ecosystems ?
GPP (a) Nutrient cycling rates tend to be limited by
(c) ´ 100
Incident solar radiation decomposition
(d) GPP + NPP (b) Nutrient cycling involves both biotic and abiotic
20. How is that satellites can detect differences in primary components of the ecosystem
productivity on Earth ? (c) Decomposers compete with higher order
(a) Satellites detect differences by measuring the consumers for nutrients and energy
amount of water vapour emitted by transpiring (d) Energy transfer between trophic levels is in almost
producers all cases less than 20% efficient
(b) Sensitive satellite instruments can measure the 26. Organisms of which trophic level is most vulnerable to
amount of NADPH+ H+ produced in different extinction ?
ecosystems (a) Producer level
(c) Photosynthetic organisms absorb more visible light (b) Decomposer level
in the 350-750 nm wavelengths
 1206 NCERT Biology Booster

(c) Secondary consumer level (c) Amino acids from decomposing plant and animal
(d) Tertiary consumer level proteins
27. Secondary consumers that can eat only primary (d) Nitrate ions in the soil
consumers receive what percent of the energy fixed by 32. Which of the following locations is the reservoir for
primary producers in a typical field ecosystem ? nitrogen in the nitrogen cycle ?
(a) 10% (b) 20% (a) Atmosphere
(c) 1% (d) 0.1% (b) Sedimentary bedrock
28. Which statement best describes what ultimately (c) Soil
happens to the chemical energy that is converted into (d) Fossilised plant and animal remains
new biomass in the process of energy transfer between 33. Out of the total quantity of global carbon ______ %
trophic levels in an ecosystem ? carbon is found dissolved in oceans :
(a) It is used by organisms to maintain their life (a) 30 (b) 20
processes through the reactions of cellular (c) 70 (d) 10
respiration 34. In the nitrogen cycle, the bacteria that replenish the
(b) It is undigested and winds up in the faeces and is atmosphere with N 2 is :
not passed on to higher trophic levels (a) Rhizobium
(c) It is eliminated as faeces consumed in ingestion, (b) Nitrifying bacteria
respiration or is dissipated into space in (c) Nitrogen fixing bacteria
accordance with the second law of
(d) Denitrifying bacteria
thermodynamics
35. Which of the following is an example of local
(d) None of the above
biogeochemical cycle ?
29. Consider the food chain :
(a) O 2 released by oak trees in the forest
Grass ¾® Grasshopper ¾® Mouse ¾® Snake (b) CO 2 absorbed by phytoplanktons in the open sea
¾® Hawk (c) Excess nitrate converted to N 2 by denitrifying soil
bacteria
How much of the chemical energy fixed by
(d) Phosphorus being absorbed from the soil by a corn
photosynthesis of the grass (100 J) is available to the
plant
hawk ?
36. How does phosphorus normally enter ecosystem ?
(a) 0.01 J (b) 0.1 J
(a) Cellular respiration
(c) 1 J (d) 10 J
(b) Photosynthesis
30. If the flow of energy in an arctic ecosystem goes
(c) Rock weathering
through a simple food chain, perhaps involving
(d) Atmosphric phoshorus gas
humans, starting from phytoplankton to zooplankton
to fish to seals to polar bear, then which of the 37. Which of the following is true ?
following could be true ? (a) At any point time, it is impossible for consumers to
(a) Polar bears can provide more food for humans than outnumber producers in an ecosystem
seal can (b) Chemoautotrophic prokaryotes near deep-sea
(b) The total biomass of fish is lower than that of the vents are primary producers
seals (c) There has been a well documented increase in
(c) Fish can potentially provide more food for humans atmospheric nitrogen over the past several decades
than the seal meet can (d) The reservoir of ecosystems phosphorus is
(d) Seal populations are larger than fish populations atmosphere
31. Nitrogen is available to the non-legume plants only in 38. In a typical grassland community, which of the
the form of : following has the smallest biomass ?
(a) N 2 in the atmosphere (a) Snake (b) Hawk
(b) Nitrite ions in the soil (c) Shrew (d) Grass
 Ecosystem 1207

39. Examine the food web for a particular terrestrial 43. Why does deforestation of a watershed (an area of land
ecosystem. Which species is autotrophic and that separates water flowing to a water body) increase
decomposer respectively ? the concentration of nitrates in streams draining the
watershed?
B (a) CO 2 cycle gets disrupted
(b) Air becomes rich in N 2
A C D (c) Dissolved N 2 increases in streams
(d) Nitrate that accumulate in soil runs off into streams
E 44. Which of these ecosystems has the lowest net primary
production per square meter ?
(a) A and E (b) B and E
(a) A coral reef
(c) C and A (d) E and A
(b) An open ocean
40. Examine the food web for a particular terrestrial
(c) A grassland
ecosystem. Species C is toxic to predators. Which
(d) A marshy area
species is most likely to benefit from being a mimic of
C? 45. The discipline that applies ecological principles to
returning degraded ecosystems to a more natural state
B
is known as :
(a) Population viability analysis
A C D (b) Landscape ecology
(c) Restoration ecology
E (d) Resource conservation
46. Which of the following has the greatest effect on the
(a) A (b) D rate of chemical cycling in an ecosystem ?
(c) E (d) B (a) The ecosystem’s rate of primary production
41. Examine the food web for a particular ecosystem. (b) The production efficiency of the ecosystem’s
Which pair of species could be omnivores ? consumers
B (c) The rate of decomposition in the ecosystem
(d) The location of the nutrient reservoirs in the
ecosystem
A C D
47. Which of the following would be considered as an
example of bioremediation ?
E (a) Reconfiguring the channel of a river
(a) C and E (b) A and D (b) Growing the chromium-accumulating plants to soil
(c) A and B (d) B and C contaminated by chromium
42. If the figure given below represents a terrestrial food (c) Adding N 2 -fixing organisms
web, the combined biomass of C + D would probably (d) Using bulldozer to recreate farm-land
be : 48. If fungicide is applied to a cornfield, what would you
expect to happen to the rate of decomposition and net
H I
ecosystem production (NEP) ?
G (a) Both decomposition and NEP would decrease
F (b) Both decomposition and NEP would increase
C D E (c) Neither would change
(d) Decomposition rate would decrease and NEP
A B would increase
(a) Greater than the biomass of A 49. Which of the following is not an ecosystem-function
(b) Less than the biomass of H but an ecosystem-structure ?
(c) Less than the biomass of E (a) Productivity (b) Energy flow
(d) Less than the biomass of A + B (c) Decomposition (d) Stratification
 1208 NCERT Biology Booster

50. Arrange the following ecosystems in the decreasing (v) Sunlight is the source of energy in detritus food
order of their mean net primary productivity chain (DFC)
(tons/hectare/year) Which of the above statements are correct ?
I. Tropical deciduous forest (a) (iii), (iv) and (v)
II. Temperate coniferous forest (b) (iv) and (v)
III. Tropical rain forests (c) (ii) and (iii)
IV. Temperate deciduous forest (d) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v)
V. Desert scrub 57. Mr. Rahul is eating a cup of curd. What is his trophic
(a) III > I > IV > II > V position ?
(b) II > IV > I > III > V (a) T2 (b) T1
(c) III > I > II > IV > V (c) T5 (d) T3
(d) IV > II > III > I > V 58. Which of the following relation is correct for Gross
51. The rate of formation of organic matter by deers in a Primary Productivity (GPP), Net Primary Productivity
grassland is called : (NPP) and Respiratory Loss (R) for a green plant :
(a) Secondary productivity (a) NPP = GPP – R (b) NPP = GPP
(b) Net primary productivity (c) GPP + R = NPP (d) NPP = R – GPP
(c) Gross primary productivity 59. Read the following statements :
(d) Secondary production (i) Detritus food chain (DFC) begins with dead
52. The biomass available for consumption by the organic matter
herbivores and decomposers is called : (ii) In aquatic ecosystem, grazing food chain (GFC) is
(a) Secondary productivity the major conduit for energy flow
(b) Net primary production (iii) In terrestrial ecosystem, a much larger fraction of
(c) Gross primary productivity energy flows through DFC than through GFC
(d) Gross primary productivity + Net primary (iv) DFC may be connected with the GFC at some
productivity levels
53. The percentage of PAR in the incident solar radiation (v) The pyramid of biomass in sea ecosystem is
is: generally inverted
(a) 2-10% (b) 1-5% How many of the above statements are ture ?
(c) Less than 50% (d) More than 50% (a) Five (b) Four
54. _________% of incidient solar radiation or ________% (c) Three (d) Two
of PAR is captured by plants for the synthesis of organic Ecological Pyramids
matter (gross primary production).
60. An ecosystem receives 1,000,000 J of sunlight energy,
(a) 2-10, 1-5 (b) 6-8, 12-16 then what is the energy available at primary producer
(c) 30-35, 60-75 (d) 1-5, 2-10 (T1 ) level ?
55. Which of the following may occupy more than one (a) 10,000 J (b) 1,00,000 J
trophic level in an ecosystem? (c) 1,000 J (d) 100 J
(a) Sparrow (b) Snake 61. Observe the ecological pyramid :
(c) Insectivous plants (d) All of these
56. Read the following statements :
(i) The length of food chains vary between 2-8
trophic levels
(ii) The length of food chain is usually limited to 3-4
trophic levels due to energy loss
(iii) Removal of most of the carnivores in a forest Which of the following is correct for this type of
ecosystem results in an increased population of ecological pyramid? It represents :
deers (a) Pyramid of number of a single tree ecosystem
(iv) Removal of 80% tigers from an area results (b) Pyramid of biomass in a pond ecosystem
greatly in the increased growth of vegetation
 Ecosystem 1209

(c) Either (a) or (b) VI. Migration

(d) Pyramid of biomass of a single tree ecosystem (a) II ® VI ® IV ® III ® II ® I
62. The limitations of ecological pyramid is/are : (b) IV ® V ® VI ® II ® I ® III
(a) It has no place for decomposers and detrivores (c) II ® VI ® V ® IV ® I ® III
(b) It is based on simple food chain and not food web (d) III ® I ® V ® II ® IV ® VI
(c) It has no place for insectivorous plants which 68. The pioneer community in xerarch succession is
simultaneously belong of the T1 and T3 levels _________ whereas in hydrarch succession is
(d) All are correct _____________ .
63. The pyramid given below represents : (a) Lichens; phytoplanktons
(b) Phytoplanktons; lichens
(c) Mosses ; phytoplanktons
(d) Lichens; submerged plants
69. Arrange correctly the sequence of Xerarch succession :
I. Shrub stage
II. Annual grass stage
(a) Pyramid of number in the grassland ecosystem III. Moss stage
(b) Pyramid of number in the forest ecosystem IV. Perrential grass stage
(c) Pyramid of biomass in the forest ecosystem V. Lichen stage
(d) Pyramid of energy in the pond ecosystem VI. Climax stage
64. The pyramid given below represents : (a) V ® III ® II ® I ® IV ® VI
(b) II ® IV ® III ® I ® IV ® VI
(c) V ® II ® III ® I ® VI ® IV
(d) V ® III ® II ® IV ® I ® VI
(a) Pyramid of biomass in the aquatic ecosystem 70. Arrange correctly the sequence of hydrarch succession :
(b) Pyramid of energy in the aquatic ecosystem I. Forest
(c) Pyramid of number in the aquatic ecosystem II. Marsh-meadow stage
(d) Pyramid of biomass of a single tree ecosystem III. Reed-swamp stage
65. Pyramid of biomass for an open sea ecosystem is IV. Submerged-plant stage
inverted. How come there is enough food to support V. Submerged-free floating plant stage
higher trophic levels ? VI. Scrub stage
(a) The microscopic algae have a very high rate of VII. Phytoplankton
growth and reproduction (a) VII ® IV ® II ® V ® III ® I ® VI
(b) The algae are high energy containing food (b) VII ® IV ® V ® II ® III ® I ® VI
(c) Food is added to ocean by terrestrial ecosystems (c) VII ® IV ® V ® III ® II ® VI ® I
(d) Food is added to ocean by aerial sources (d) VII ® II ® V ® IV ® III ® VI ® I
66. In most ecosystems, all the pyramids, of number, of 71. The entire sequence of communities that successively
energy and biomass are : change in a given area are called :
(a) Upright (b) Spindle shaped (a) Sere (b) Seral community
(c) Inverted (d) Rhombus shaped (c) Seral stage (d) Pioneer
72. What happens as an ecological succession proceeds ?
Ecological Succession
(a) Little diversity to high diversity
67. Arrange correctly the steps of primary autotrophic
(b) Increase in humus content of soil
succession :
(c) Total increase in biomass
I. Competition and co-action
(d) All of the above
II. Nudation
73. In how many of the following primary succession (P)
III. Stabilisation
and secondary succession (S) starts ?
IV. Colonization and aggregation
V. Germination
 1210 NCERT Biology Booster

Abandoned farm land, Cooled volcanic lava, Burnt (c) Producers, primary consumers, carnivores and
forest, sand dunes, flooded land, barren igneous decomposers
rocks (d) Producers and decomposers
(a) P = 2, S = 4 (b) P = 4, S = 2 79. Which of the following are decomposers ?
(c) P = 3, S = 3 (d) P = 5, S = 1 (a) Bacteria
74. Climax communities : (b) Fungi
(a) Are less diverse than pioneer communities (c) Flagellates like Euglena
(b) Are fewer than pioneer communities (d) All of the above
(c) Are more diverse than pioneer communities 80. Which of the following are detrivores ?
(d) All of the above (a) Earthworms
75. Read the following statements : (b) Wood lice and sea cucumbers
(i) An important characteristics of all communities is (c) Termites
that, composition and structure constantly (d) All of the above
change in response to the changing 81. Which of the following is correct ?
environmental conditions (a) Detrivores are organisms which digests dead
(ii) During ecological succession some species matter via internal digestion and are unable to
colonise an area and their populations become absorb them externally
more numerous, whereas populations of other (b) Decomposers breakdown organic matter by
species decline and even disappear secreting extracellular enzymes
(iii) The products of ecosystem processes are called (c) Both (a) and (b)
‘ecosystem services’ (d) Frogs are top carnivores
(iv) A single species cannot occupy more than one 82. The major site of decomposition is the _______ layer of
trophic level soil in terrestrial habitats and _______ of water bodies :
(v) Death of organisms is the beginning of the (a) Bottom, upper (b) Deepest, upper
detritus food chain (DFC) (c) Upper, upper (d) Upper, bottom
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct ? 83. During decomposition process :
(a) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) (a) O 2 is consumed, CO 2 and other compound are
(b) (iii) and (iv) released
(c) (iv) only (b) CO 2 is consumed
(d) (i), (ii), (iii) and (v) (c) CO 2 is consumed, O 2 and other compound are
76. Decomposers are not included in the food chain released
because : (d) None of the above
(a) They act on all the trophic levels of a food chain 84. The rate of decomposition depends upon :
(b) They occupy only third trophic level (a) Temperature
(c) They are microbes (b) Quality of detritus
(d) They are heterotrophs (c) Soil pH and moisture
77. During ecological succession, changes lead finally to a (d) More than one option is correct
community that is in near equilibrium with the 85. Decomposers are also called :
environment and is called : (a) Reducers (b) Primary consumers
(a) Climax community (b) Seral stage (c) Transducers (d) Producers
(c) Sere (d) Ecocline 86. Arrange sequentially the steps of decomposition of
Nutrient Cycling matter in an ecosystem.
I. Humification
78. To recycle nutrients, an ecosystem must have, at a
II. Catabolism
minimum :
III. Mineralisation
(a) Producers
IV. Fragmentation
(b) Producers, primary consumers and decomposers
V. Leaching
 Ecosystem 1211

(a) IV ® II ® I ® V ® III (a) 50% (b) 6%

(b) IV ® V ® II ® I ® III (c) 10% (d) 30%
(c) IV ® I ® II ® III ® V 88. Researchers like Robert Constanza and his colleagues
(d) IV ® V ® I ® III ® II have put an average price tag of __________ a year for
ecosystem services :
Ecosystem Services
(a) US $ 33 trillion (b) US $ 48 trillion
87. Out of the total cost of various ecosystem services, the
(c) US $ 33 million (d) US $ 48 million
soil formation accounts for about __________ .

Answers (Section-A)

1. (d) 2. (d) 3. (b) 4. (c) 5. (d) 6. (a) 7. (b) 8. (b) 9. (c) 10. (c)
11. (a) 12. (c) 13. (d) 14. (b) 15. (b) 16. (b) 17. (d) 18. (c) 19. (c) 20. (d)
21. (d) 22. (c) 23. (c) 24. (a) 25. (d) 26. (d) 27. (c) 28. (c) 29. (a) 30. (c)
31. (d) 32. (a) 33. (c) 34. (d) 35. (d) 36. (c) 37. (b) 38. (b) 39. (a) 40. (d)
41. (a) 42. (d) 43. (d) 44. (b) 45. (c) 46. (c) 47. (b) 48. (d) 49. (d) 50. (a)
51. (a) 52. (b) 53. (c) 54. (d) 55. (d) 56. (c) 57. (d) 58. (a) 59. (a) 60. (a)
61. (c) 62. (d) 63. (b) 64. (a) 65. (a) 66. (a) 67. (c) 68. (a) 69. (d) 70. (c)
71. (a) 72. (d) 73. (c) 74. (c) 75. (d) 76. (a) 77. (a) 78. (d) 79. (d) 80. (d)
81. (c) 82. (d) 83. (a) 84. (d) 85. (a) 86. (b) 87. (a) 88. (a)
1212 NCERT Biology Booster

Section-B : Questions from NCERT Exemplar

1. Decomposers like fungi and bacteria are : 10. During the process of ecological succession the changes
(i) Autotrophs (ii) Heterotrophs that take place in communities are :
(iii) Saprotrophs (iv) Chemo-autotrophs (a) Orderly and sequential
Choose the correct answer : (b) Random
(a) (i) and (iii) (b) (i) and (iv) (c) Very quick
(c) (ii) and (iii) (d) (i) and (ii) (d) Not influenced by the physical environment
2. The process of mineralisation by microorganisms helps 11. Climax community is in a state of :
in the releases of : (a) Non-equilibrium (b) Equilibrium
(a) Inorganic nutrients from humus (c) Disorder (d) Constant change
(b) Both organic and inorganic nutrients from detritus 12. Among the following bio-geo-chemical cycles which
(c) Organic nutrients from humus one does not have losses due to respiration ?
(d) Inorganic nutrients from detritus and formation of (a) Phosphorus (b) Nitrogen
humus (c) Sulphur (d) All of these
3. An inverted pyramid of biomass can be found in which 13. The sequence of communities of primary succession in
ecosystem ? water is :
(a) Forest (b) Marine (a) Phytoplankton, sedges, free-floating hydrophytes,
(c) Grassland (d) Tundra rooted hydrophytes, grass and trees.
4. Which of the following is not a producer ? (b) Phytoplankton, free-floating hydrophytes, rooted
(a) Spirogyra (b) Agaricus hydrophytes, sedges, grass and trees.
(c) Volvox (d) Nostoc (c) Free-floating hydrophytes, sedges, Phytoplankton,
5. Which of the following ecosystem is most productive in rooted hydrophytes, grass and trees.
terms of net primary production ? (d) Phytoplankton, rooted submerged hydrophytes,
(a) Deserts (b) Tropical rain forests floating hydrophytes, reed swamp, sedges,
(c) Oceans (d) Estuaries meadow and trees.
6. Pyramid of numbers is : 14. The reservoir for the gaseous type of bio-geo-chemical
cycle exists in :
(a) Always upright
(a) Stratosphere (b) Atmosphere
(b) Always inverted
(c) Ionosphere (d) Lithosphere
(c) Either upright or inverted
15. If the carbon atoms fixed by producers already have
(d) Neither upright nor inverted
passed through three species, the trophic level of the
7. Approximately how much of the solar energy that falls
last species would be :
on the leaves of a plant is converted to chemical energy
(a) Scavenger (b) Tertiary producer
by photosynthesis ?
(c) Tertiary consumer (d) Secondary consumer
(a) Less than 1% (b) 2-10%
16. Which of the following type of ecosystem is expected in
(c) 30% (d) 50%
an area where evaporation exceeds precipitation and
8. Among the following, where do you think the process
mean annual rainfall is below 100 mm ?
of decomposition would be the fastest ?
(a) Grassland (b) Shrubby forest
(a) Tropical rain forest (b) Antarctic
(c) Desert (d) Mangrove
(c) Dry arid region (d) Alpine region
17. The zone at the edge of a lake or ocean which is
9. How much of the net primary productivity of a
alternatively exposed to air and immersed in water is
terrestrial ecosystem is eaten and digested by
called :
herbivores?
(a) Pelagic zone (b) Benthic zone
(a) 1% (b) 10%
(c) Lentic zone (d) Littoral zone
(c) 40% (d) 90%
 Ecosystem 1213

18. Edaphic factor refers to : 20. Productivity is the rate of production of biomass in
(a) Water terms of :
(b) Soil (i) (kcal m –3 ) yr –1
(c) Relative humidity (ii) g –2 yr –1
(d) Altitude (iii) g –1 yr –1
19. Which of the following is an ecosystem service
(iv) (kcal m –2 ) yr –1
provided by a natural ecosystem ?
(a) Cycling of nutrients (a) (ii) (b) (iii)
(b) Preventation of soil erosion (c) (ii) and (iv) (d) (i) and (iii)
(c) Pollutant absorption and reduction of the threat of
global warming
(d) All of the above

Answers (Section-B)
1. (c) 2. (a) 3. (b) 4. (b) 5. (b) 6. (c) 7. (a) 8. (a) 9. (b) 10. (a)
11. (b) 12. (d) 13. (d) 14. (b) 15. (c) 16. (c) 17. (d) 18. (b) 19. (d) 20. (c)
 1214 NCERT Biology Booster
Section-C : Assertion-Reason Type Questions
Instructions :
1. If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion then mark (a).
2. If both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion, then mark (b).
3. If assertion is true but reason is false, then mark (c).
4. If both assertion and reason are false statements then mark (d).
1. A: Endomycorrhiza of forest trees contribute to the
efficient nutrient cycling in tropical forest
ecosystems.
R: The fungi that form endomycorrhizal associations
with plants store nutrient ions and make them
available to the host plants.
2. A: In a food chain, members of successive higher levels
are fewer in number.
R: Number of organisms at any trophic level depends
upon the availability of organisms which serve as
food at the lower level.
3. A: A network of food chains existing together in an
ecosystem is known as food web.
R: An animal like kite cannot be a part of food web.
4. A: The plant biomass which serves as the food of
herbivores and decomposers is said to result from
the gross primary productivity.
R: Gross primary productivity is the rate of net
production of organic material (biomass).
5. A: In a terrestrial ecosystem, detritus food chain is the
major conduit for energy flow.
R: Solar energy is the direct source for energy supply
in a detritus food chain.
6. A: Rice field is an ecosystem for plants and animals.
R: Gut of human/animals is an ecosystem for flora and
fauna.
7. A: In marine ecosystem, the biomass of phytoplankton
at any given time is lower than the biomass of
zooplanktons.
R: Phytoplanktons are readily consumed and thus a
short life span.
8. A: Herbivores are called key industry animals.
R: They convert plant biomass into animal biomass.
9. A: Decomposers play a very important role in an
ecosystem.
R: They are important for mineralization process.
10. A: Temperature and soil moisture are the important
factors that regulate decomposition.
R: Warm and moist condition favours decomposition.
11. A: Anthropogenic ecosystem do not possess
self-regulatory mechanism.
R: Anthropogenic ecosystem in under the control of
humans.
12. A: Snakes can act both as primary carnivore and
secondary carnivore.
R: Snakes can procure both mouse and frog as its food.
13. A: The rate of production or synthesis of organic
matter by producers during photosynthesis per unit
time and area is called net primary productivity
(NPP).
R: The rate of organic matter build up or stored by
producers in excess of respiratory utilization per
unit time and area is called gross primary
productivity (GPP).
14. A: Mineralisation is the release of inorganic substances
like minerals, CO 2 and H 2O from organic matter or
humus during decomposition process by microbes.
R: Humus is a reservoir of nutrients.
15. A: The phenomenon of incorporation of nutrient in the
living organisms is called immobilisation.
R: Immobilisation protects the nutrients from being
washed out and lost from ecosystem.
16. A: Source of energy in grazing food chain (GFC) is sun.
R: Source of energy in detritus food chain (DFC) is
detritus.
17. A: In parasitic food chain, size of organisms finally
reduce at higher trophic levels.
R: Parasite and host relationship is commensalism.
18. A: The number of trophic levels in an ecosystem is
hardly 3-5.
R: The residual energy decreases drastically at higher
trophic levels.
19. A: Pyramid of biomass of a single tree ecosystem is
upright.
R: Pyramid of number of a single tree ecosystem is
inverted on spindle shaped.
20. A: The first biotic community that develops in a bare
area is called pioneer community.
R: In hydrosere or hydrarch succession, the pioneer
community is lichens.
 Ecosystem 1215

Answers (Section-C)
1. (a) 2. (a) 3. (c) 4. (d) 5. (c) 6. (b) 7. (a) 8. (a) 9. (a) 10. (a)
11. (a) 12. (a) 13. (d) 14. (b) 15. (b) 16. (b) 17. (c) 18. (a) 19. (b) 20. (c)
1216 NCERT Biology Booster

Section-D : Brainstormer
1. Which of the following is correct for the given (c) The annual net primary productivity is about 55
ecological pyramid? billion tons
(d) Energy flow in an ecosystem is cyclic
PC 21 6. The type of ecological pyramid shown is inapplicable
PP 4 for :

(a) A number of generation of phytoplanktons is

consumed by a single generation of zooplanktons
(b) A very large standing crop of primary producer
supports a small standing crop of primary
consumer
(a) Pyramid of biomass in sea-ecosystem
(c) Small standing crop of phytoplankton supports
large standing crop of zooplankton (b) Pyramid of number in grassland ecosystem
(d) Both (a) and (b) (c) Pyramid of energy in grassland ecosystem
2. Read the following statements w.r.t. ecological (d) Pyramid of biomass in single tree ecosystem
succession: 7. Which of the following is correct ?
(i) Total biomass increases (a) Mineral recycling will be blocked if decomposers
(ii) Climatic change are absent
(iii) One set of species altering the environment of (b) Fragmentation is done by detrivores
other set of species (c) Mineralisation is the formation of humus
(iv) Hydric to xeric conditions usually (d) More than one option is correct
(v) Increase in humus content of soil 8. The pyramid of numbers taking a banyan tree can be
How many of the above statement are correct? represented as :
(a) Two (b) Five
T3 T3
(c) Three (d) Four
T2 T2
3. Given in the box are few aspects of ecosystem. How
many of these represent Ecosystem Structure (S) and T1 T1
Ecosystem Function (F) ? (I) (II)

Energy flow, Species composition, Nutrient cycling, T3 T3

Decomposition, Productivity, Stratificiation
T2 T2
(a) S = 1, F = 5 (b) S = 2, F = 4 T1 T1
(c) S = 3, F = 3 (d) S = 4, F = 2 (III) (IV)
4. The net primary productivity (NPP) is available for the
consumption of ; (a) I, II (b) III, IV
(a) Herbivores and decomposers (c) I, IV (d) II, III
(b) Carnivores 9. In hydrarch succession, the marsh-meadow stage is
(c) Carnivores and decomposers preceded immediately by :
(d) Decomposers only (a) Read-swamp stage
5. Choose the incorrect statement : (b) Scrub-stage
(a) Grazing food chain binds the inorganic nutrient (c) Submerged free-floating stage
into organic nutrient (d) Forest-stage
(b) Nutrient immobilisation prevents the leaching of
nutrient
 Ecosystem 1217

10. Tropical forest soils contain comparatively low levels of
mineral nutrients because :
(a) The standing crop biomass of tropical forests is
comparatively small
(b) Tropical soil microorganisms do not breakdown
organic matter as efficiently as temperate zone soil
microorganisms do
(c) Many nutrients are destroyed by high
temperatures in the tropics
(d) Organic matter decomposes more rapidly and
plants assimilate soil nutrients more rapidly in
tropics

Answers (Section-D)
1. (d) 2. (d) 3. (b) 4. (a) 5. (d) 6. (a) 7. (d) 8. (d) 9. (a) 10. (d)
1218 NCERT Biology Booster

Section-E : Latest Previous Years Questions

1. Which one of the following representations shows the 8. Which is not a gaseous biogeochemical cycle?
pyramid of numbers in a forest ecosystem? (a) Sulphur (b) Phosphorus
(c) Nitrogen (d) Carbon
9. In the pyramid of numbers find out the correct
possibilities:

TC 10

A B SC 50

PC 500

PP 1

(a) Level PC is rats and level SC is cats

C D (b) Level PP is pipal tree and level SC is sheep
(c) Level PP is phytoplankton in sea and level TC is
(a) D (b) A
whale
(c) B (d) C
(d) Level PC is insects and level SC is small
2. Who have tried to put price tags on nature’s life support
insectivorous birds
services:
10. The upright pyramid of number is absent in:
(a) Robert Constanza et al
(a) Lake (b) Forest
(b) Nile Perch et al
(c) Grassland (d) Pond
(c) Herbert Boyer et al
11. Identify A, B, C, D respectively in the food web:
(d) Ram Deo Misra et al
Lion
3. In grazing food chain, carnivores are: Hawks
(a) Primary producers
Snakes
(b) Secondary producers Foxes
(c) Primary consumers Owls
Garden
(d) Secondary consumers lizard C
A
4. Large-woody vines are more commonly found in:
(a) Tropical rain forests D Sparrow
Mice Grasshopper
(b) Alpine forests B
(c) Temperate forests
(d) Mangroves Vegetation/seeds
5. In which regions of the world are hot deserts located?
(a) Equator and Tropic of Cancer (a) Rat, Bog, Tortoise, Crow
(b) Equator and Tropic of Capricorn (b) Squirrel, Cat, Rat, Pigeon
(c) Polar region (c) Deer, Rabbit, Frog, Rat
(d) Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn (d) Dog, Squirrel, Bat, Deer
6. Ecosystem having the highest primary productivity is: 12. In an ecosystem, standing crop at any time consists of:
(a) Pond (b) Ocean (a) Total living matter
(c) Desert (d) Forest (b) Total detritus
7. In Parasitic food chain, the pyramid of numbers is: (c) Both detritus and living matter
(a) Upright (b) Inverted (d) Total nutrients
(c) Linear (d) Both (a) and (b)
 Ecosystem 1219

13. Decomposition rate is slow if detritus is rich in: 22. Lindeman’s energy transfer law states that only:
(a) Nitrogen (a) 20% energy is transferred to higher trophic level
(b) Humus (b) 10 % energy is transferred to higher trophic level
(c) Sugars (c) 30% energy is transferred to higher trophic level
(d) Lignin and chitin (d) 50% energy’ is transferred to higher trophic level
14. An inverted pyramid of number and an inverted 23. Which helps in maintaining species diversity in a
pyramid of biomass are respectively seen in: Community?
(a) Grassland Tree ecosystem (a) Omnivores (b) Predaters
(b) Sea and Tree ecosystem (c) Herbivores (d) Facultative parasites
(c) Tree and Sea ecosystem 24. Identify the incorrect statement from the, following:
(d) Tree and Grassland ecosystem (a) Reservoir pool for phosphorus cycle is earth’s crust
15. Which is not recycled in ecosystem ? whereas atmosphere is the reservoir pool for
(a) Nitrogen (b) Water carbon cycle
(c) Energy (d) Oxygen (b) During carbon cycle and phosphorus cycle, there is
16. Which is correct about GPP and NPP in ecosystem ? very little respiratory release of carbon and
(a) NPP = GPP – Plant respiration phosphorus
(b) NPP = GPP + Plant respiration (c) Atmospheric inputs of phosphorus through rainfall
(c) NPP = GPP – Animal respiration are much smaller than carbon inputs
(d) NPP =GPP + Animal respiration (d) Gaseous exchanges of phosphorus between
organism and environment are negligible
17. The decomposed organic matter is called:
25. Which of the following statements about the food chain
(a) Callose (b) Callus
is false?
(c) Litter (d) Humus
(a) Detritus food chain begins with dead organic
18. Which ones are reservoirs of Phosphorus and Nitrogen
matter
cycles respectively?
(b) Carnivores are secondary consumers
(a) Consumers
(c) Primary consumers are herbivores
(b) Atmosphere and bedrock
(d) Earthworm in detritus food chain is a primary
(c) Atmosphere and producers
producer
(d) Bedrock and atmosphere
26. Gross primary productivity is the rate of production of
19. Secondary productivity is rate of formation of new
________ during photosynthesis :
organic matter by:
(a) Organic matter (b) Oxygen
(a) Decomposers (b) Producers
(c) Carbon dioxide (d) Chlorophyll
(c) Parasites (d) Consumers
27. Breakdown of detritus into small particles by detrivores
20. Mineralisation is performed by :
is called:
(a) Earthworm
(a) Leaching (b) Humification
(b) Bacteria and fungi
(c) Catabolism (d) Fragmentation
(c) Detrivores
28. Which of the following statements about productivity is
(d) Herbivores
true?
21. Which of the following processes will be most adversely
(a) Primary productivity of all ecosystems is, a
affected if microorganisms are removed from forest
constant
ecosystem?
(b) Annual net primary productivity of the whole of
(a) Solar energy fixation and nutrient cycling
the biosphere is 17 billion tons (dry weight) of
(b) Decomposition of organic matter and organic matter
photosynthesis
(c) Net primary productivity is the amount of biomass
(c) Nitrogen-fixation and decomposition of organic available for consumption by carnivores
matter
(d) Primary productivity depends upon the plant
(d) Carbon assimilation and nitrogen fixation species inhabiting a particular area
 1220 NCERT Biology Booster

29. Which of the following statement(s) regarding energy 33. Match column-I with column-II :
flow is/are false?
Column-I Column-II
I. Detritus food chain begins with dead organic
matter A. Producer (i) Herbivores

II. In aquatic ecosystem, detritus food chain is the B. Primary consumer (ii) Green plants
major conduit for energy flow C. Secondary consumer (iii) Saprotrophs
III. In terrestrial ecosystem a larger fraction of energy D. Decomposer (iv) Carnivores
flows through grazing food chain
(a) A = (i), B = (ii), C = (iii), D = (iv)
IV. Producers belong to the first trophic level of the
food chain (b) A = (ii), B = (i), C = (iv), D = (iii)
(a) II and III only (c) A = (ii), B = (iv), C = (iii), D = (i)
(b) III and IV only (d) A = (iii), B = (ii), C = (i), D = (iv)
(c) I and IV only 34. In an ecosystem the rate of production of organic
matter during photosynthesis is termed as :
(d) I and II only
(a) Net productivity
30. If 20 J of energy is trapped at producer level, then how
much energy will be available to peacock as food in the (b) Net primary productivity
following chain Plant ® Mice ® Snake ® Peacock : (c) Gross primary productivity
(a) 0.002 J (b) 0.2 J (d) Secondary productivity
(c) 0.0002 J (d) 0.02 J 35. Secondary succession takes place on/in :
31. Given here is a simplified model of phosphorus cycling (a) Newly cooled lava
in a terrestrial ecosystem with four blanks (A–D). (b) Bare rock
Identify the blanks: (c) Degraded forest
(d) Newly created pond
Consumers C
36. The following graph depicts changes in two
populations (A and B) of herbivores in a grassy field. A
D possible reason for these changes is that :
A

Uptake
Number of organisms

Soil solution
Run off B

A B C D A
(a) Litter fall Producers Rock Detritus
minerals
Time
(b) Detritus Rock Producers Litter fall
minerals (a) Population A consumed the members of population
(c) Producers Litter fall Rock Detritus B
minerals
(b) Both plant populations in this habitat decreased
(d) Rock Detritus Litter fall Producers (c) Population B competed more successfully for food
minerals
than population A
32. The overlapping zone in between two ecosystems is (d) Population A produced more offspring than
known as : population B
(a) Ecozone (b) Biotope 37. The mass of living material at a trophic level at a
(c) Ecotone (d) Buffer zone particular time is called :
(a) Standing crop
(b) Gross primary productivity
 Ecosystem 1221

(c) Standing state 40. Which ecosystem has the maximum biomass?
(d) Net primary productivity (a) Grassland ecosystem
38. The primary producers of the deep sea hydrothermal (b) Pond ecosystem
vent ecosystem are : (c) Lake ecosystem
(a) Blue green algae (d) Forest ecosystem
(b) Coral reef 41. What type of ecological pyramid would be obtained
(c) Green algae with the following data?
(d) Chemosynthetic bacteria Secondary consumer : 120 g
39. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of Primary consumer : 60 g
cropland ecosystem ? Primary producer : 10 g
(a) Absence of soil organism (a) Inverted pyramid of biomass
(b) Least genetic diversity (b) Pyramid of energy
(c) Absence of weeds (c) Upright pyramid of numbers
(d) Ecological succession (d) Upright pyramid of biomass

Answers (Section-E)

1. (d) 2. (a) 3. (d) 4. (a) 5. (d) 6. (d) 7. (b) 8. (b) 9. (d) 10. (b)
11. (c) 12. (a) 13. (d) 14. (c) 15. (c) 16. (a) 17. (d) 18. (d) 19. (d) 20. (b)
21. (c) 22. (b) 23. (b) 24. (b) 25. (d) 26. (a) 27. (d) 28. (d) 29. (a) 30. (d)
31. (b) 32. (c) 33. (b) 34. (c) 35. (c) 36. (c) 37. (a) 38. (d) 39. (b) 40. (d)
41. (a)
 1222 NCERT Biology Booster
5. (d) Herbivores, carnivores and primary consumers, all
are heterotrophs.
8. (b) Plants capture only 1-5% of incident solar
radiation or 2-10% of PAR in synthesis of organic
matter.
14. (b) Out of P, Fe, Zn and C, the most abundant in ocean
is carbon. So, aquatic organisms are least likely to
be limited by carbon. CO 2 is absorbed at the
ocean’s surface and converted into dissolved
carbon which is then converted into gross primary
productivity (GPP) by phytoplanktons into
organic carbon.
15. (b) In tropical rain forests huge amount of detritus is
formed. So, maximum energy flows through DFC.
22. (c) Since, consumers’ food is getting converted into
their own biomass during a given time period, it is
secondary production.
23. (c) ‘Gross primary productivity’ is the rate of gross
primary production.
26. (d) As the number of organisms in tertiary consumer
level (in comparison to producer level,
decomposer level, secondary consumer level) is
least.
10%
27. (c) e. g ., 100 ¾¾® 10 ¾¾® 1
10%
(PP) (PC) (SC)
10% 10% 10%
29. (a) Grass ¾® Grass hopper ¾® Mouse ¾®
(100 J) (10 J) (1 J)
10%
Snake ¾® Hawk
(0.1 J)
31. (d) Non-legume plants can absorb nitrate ions present
in the soil. These also cannot efficiently take
nitrite ions from soil.
34. (d) Denitrification is carried out by bacteria like
Pseudomonas denitrificans and Thiobacillus
denitrificans
2NO –3 ¾® 2NO –2 ¾® 2NO ¾® N 2O ¾® N 2 ­
37. (b) Chemoautotrophic prokaryotes (e. g ., some
archaebacteria) live in the hostile environment
near deep sea vents. These use energy sources
such as hydrogen sulphide, elemental sulphur,
ferrous iron, ammonia and also molecular
hydrogen. These are the primary producers there.
39. (a) Since, it beings from ‘A’ so, ‘A’ represents
autotroph. Since, it ends in ‘E’ so, ‘E’ is
decomposer.
Hints
Section-A
40. (d) If species ‘B’ mimics species ‘C’ then ‘B’ will not be
consumed both by ‘C’ and ‘D’ then it will benefit
most.
41. (a) ‘C’ can consume ‘A’ (producers) as well as ‘B’
(herbivores) so, ‘C’ is an omnivore. Similarly, ‘E’
can consume ‘A’ (producers) as well as ‘B’, ‘C’ and
‘D’ (consumers) so ‘E’ is also an omnivore.
‘B’ cannot be an omnivore as it consumes only ‘A’.
‘D’ also cannot be an omnivore as it does not
consumes ‘A’ (producers).
42. (d) Since, A supports C, D and E so, the combined
biomass of C + D will not be greater than A.
Since, C + D supports H via F so, the combined
biomass of C + D will not be less than the biomass
of H.
Since, D supports E so, the combined biomass of
C+D will not be less than E.
Since, A supports C and D, and B supports D and E
so, the combined biomass of C+D is less than the
combined biomass of A+B.
43. (d) Removal of the trees disrupts nitrogen cycling in
the forest, and the nitrate that accumulates in the
soil runs off into the stream.
44. (b) An open ocean is very vast (relative to the
producers) so, NPP is lowest in comparison to that
of coral reef, grassland and marshy area.
46. (c) The greatest effect on the rate of chemical cycling
in an ecosystem is that of the rate of
(0.01 J) decomposition in the ecosystem which is
performed by the decomposers. After
decomposition, the minerals will undergo
circulation.
47. (b) Bioremediation is the cleaning of environmental
pollution ( e. g ., heavy toxic metal salts in soil)
with the help of plants and microbes.
48. (d) Fungicide kills fungi (decomposers) so, rate of
decomposition would decrease and net ecosystem
production (NEP) will increase.
49. (d) Ecosystem structure : Stratification.
Ecosystem function : Productivity, energy flow
decomposition.
Human consuming
57. (d) Vegetation ¾® Cow ¾® cow’ s milk product
(T1 ) (T2 )
i.e., curd
(T3 )
 Ecosystem 1223

60. (a) Plants trap about 1% of the sunlight energy. So,
1% of 1,000,000 J is 10,000 J.
71. (a) The entire sequence of communities that
successively change in a given area are called sere.
The individual transitional communities are called
seral stages or seral communities.
73. (c) Primary succession (P) : Cooled volcanic lava,
sand-dunes and barren igneous rocks.
Secondary succession (S) : Abandoned farm land,
burnt forest and flooded land.
78. (d) Producers are important to synthesise food
whereas, decomposers help in decomposing
organic matter and mineralisation.
82. (d) As in terrestrial habitat the detritus is present in
the upper layer whereas, in aquatic habitat it
sediments to the bottom.
83. (a) Decomposition is basically an oxidation process
so, O 2 is consumed, CO 2 and other compound are
released.

Section-B
1. (c) Decomposers (fungi and bacteria) are 10%
9. (b) T1 ¾¾® T2
heterotrophs and saprotrophs. Other bacteria
11. (b) Climax community is in a state of equilibrium
which are not decomposers can be autotrophs/
since, these dominate and are stable in the
chemoautotrophs.
ecosystem.
4. (b) Agaricus is a fungi so, cannot be a producer.
15. (c) T1 ¾® T2 ¾® T3 ¾® T4
5. (b) The area occupied by tropical rain forest is greater (Producer) (Species 1, (Species 2, (Species 2,
than estuaries. primary
consumer)
secondary
consumer)
tertiary
consumer)
7. (a) GPP is 1-5% of the incident solar radiation.
17. (d) Pelagic zone : Open water body zone away from
8. (a) Tropical rain forest provides warm and humid
the coast.
condition which is ideal for decomposition. In dry
Benthic zone : Bottom zone of a water body
arid region due to scanty moisture enzymatic
Lentic zone : Still fresh water zone, e. g ., lakes and
action of decomposition is poor. In Antarctic and
ponds.
Alpine regions due to very low temperature
enzymatic action is poor.

Section-C
4. (d) The plant biomass which serves as the food of 5. (c) In DFC, source for energy supply is not directly
herbivores and decomposers results from net sunlight but detritus.
primary productivity.

Section-D
1. (d) It depicts pyramid of number in aquatic ecosystem
(e. g ., sea ecosystem).
2. (d) (i), (ii), (iii) and (v) statements are correct.
3. (b) Ecosystem structure includes stratification and
species composition.
Ecosystem function includes energy flow, nutrient
cycling, decomposition and productivity.
4. (a) NPP is made available by plants to herbivores and
decomposers.
5. (d) Energy flow in an ecosystem is unidirectional and
not cyclic.
6. (a) Pyramid of biomass in sea-ecosystem will be
inverted.
7. (d) Option (a) and (b) are correct so, answer will be
option (d). Mineralisation is the release of
inorganic substances from organic matter or
humus. Humification is the process of
decomposition of detritus to form humus.
8. (d) A single-tree ecosystem can be inverted or spindle
shaped.
9. (a) Read-swamp stage precedes marsh-meadow
stage.
10. (d) Detritus food chain (DFC) is more prominent in
tropical forests. Also, the abundant vegetation
absorb and assimilate very rapidly.