Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling — Prelims Questions

Consider the following statements about energy flow in ecosystems: 1. Energy flow is bidirectional between trophic levels 2. The 10% rule applies to all types of ecosystems uniformly 3. Detritus food chains process more energy than grazing food chains in forest ecosystems 4. Primary productivity is higher in tropical ecosystems than temperate ecosystems Which of the statements given above are correct?

Which of the following best explains why phosphorus is often a limiting factor in freshwater ecosystems?

In the context of nutrient cycling, which of the following processes is most directly responsible for converting atmospheric nitrogen into forms usable by plants?

Consider the following statements about eutrophication: 1. It always leads to increased biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems 2. It can occur naturally but is accelerated by human activities 3. It primarily affects marine ecosystems rather than freshwater systems 4. It results from excess nitrogen and phosphorus inputs Which of the statements given above are correct?

Which of the following factors would most likely increase the efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels in an ecosystem?