Revision Notes

CHAPTER- 14
ECOSYSTEM

Ecosystem is the functional unit of nature where living organisms interact

among themselves and also with the surroundings physical environment.

Ecosystem- Structure and Functions

Ecosystem : There are two basic categories of ecosystem , namely the

terrestrial and the aquatic.

Terrestrial ecosystem – forest, grassland , desert etc.

Aquatic ecosystem – ponds, lake, river estuary etc.

The biotic and abiotic factors of ecosystem work in integrated manner for
flow of energy within the components of ecosystem. Interaction of biotic
and abiotic components results in a physical structure that is characteristic
for each type of ecosystem. The vertical distribution of different species
occupying different levels is called stratification.For example, trees occupy
top vertical strata or layer of a forest, shrubs the second and herbs and
grasses occupy the bottom layers.

The components of ecosystem that are seen as functional unit are

(i) Productivity
(ii) Decomposition
(iii) Energy flow
(iv) Nutrient cycling.

· Productivity- Primary production is defined as the amount of biomass or

organic matter produced per unit area over a time period by plants during
photosynthesis. It is expressed in terms of weight (g –2 ) or energy (kcal
m–2 ).The rate of biomass production is called productivity. It is expressed
in terms of g –2 yr –1 or (kcal m–2 ) yr –1. It can be divided into gross
primary productivity (GPP) and net primary productivity (NPP). GPP of an
ecosystem is the rate of production of organic matter during photosynthesis
and NPP is the remaining biomass after respiration (R).

GPP –R = NPP
NPP is the available biomass for consumption to heterotrophs. Secondary
productivity is defined as the rate of formation of new organic matter by
consumers.

Decomposition- breakdown of complex organic matter into inorganic

substances like carbon dioxide, water and nutrients is called
decomposition. Dead plants remains like leaves, bark, flowers and dead
remains of animals constitute detritus. Decomposition involves following
steps- fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and
mineralization.

1. Fragmentation of Detritus: Detritivores feed on detritus ---breakdown

--- increases the surface area of detritus particles for microbial action.
2. Leaching: Soluble inorganic nutrients dissolve in water -– percolate
through the soil ---removed due to leaching action.
3. Catabolism: Decomposers (bacteria, fungi) release enzymes ---
decompose detritus --- simpler inorganic compounds.
4. Humification: Simplified detritus--- converted to humus

- Humus is a Dark, Amorphous substance.

- Highly resistant to Microbial Action
- Undergoes Decomposition very Slowly.
- Reservoir of nutrients (due to colloidal nature)

5. Mineralisation: Humus is degraded – releases inorganic substances

( CO , H O etc) and nutrients (Ca , Mg ,K etc)
2 2
2+ 2+ +

Factors affecting rate of Decomposition:

1. Chemical composition - decomposition rate will be slow when detritus is

rich in lignin and chitin and rate increases when detritus is rich in nitrogen
and water soluble substances like sugars.

2. Climatic conditions – warm and moist environment favour decomposition

and low temperature and anaerobiosis inhibit decomposition.

Energy Flow- All living organisms are dependent for their food on
producers, directly or indirectly. There is a unidirectional flow of energy
from the sun to producers and then to consumers. Photosynthetically active
radiation (PAR) is responsible for synthesis of food by plants. Animals
obtain their food from plants, so they are called consumers. The process of
eating and being eaten is called food chain in which energy flow from
producers to consumers. In Grazing food chain (GFC)-
The detritus food chain begins (DFC) begins with dead organic matter. It is
made up of decomposers which are heterotrophic organisms (fungi and
bacteria). These are also known as saprotrophs (sapro: to decompose).
Decomposers secrete digestive enzymes that breakdown dead and waste
materials into simple, inorganic materials, which are subsequently
absorbed by them.Natural interconnection of food chain forms the food
web.

Based on source of food, organism occupies a specific place in food chain

that is known as trophic level.

Each tropic level has a certain mass of living material at particular time
called as standing crop. It is measured as biomass of living organism or
number in unit area.
The number of trophic levels in the grazing food chain is limited as the
transfer of energy follows 10 percent law that is only 10 percent of the
energy is transferred to each trophic level from the lower trophic level. In
GFC, following trophic levels are possible- producer, herbivore, primary
carnivore, secondary carnivore.

Ecological Pyramids

Ecological pyramid is the graphical representation of an ecological

parameter (number, biomass, energy) sequence wise in various trophic
levels of a food chain with producers at the base and herbivores in the
middle and carnivores at the top tiers. It can be upright, inverted, or spindle
shaped.

Three common ecological pyramids are

a) Pyramids of number- employs the number of individuals per unit area at

various trophic levels with producer at base and various consumers at
successively higher levels. It is generally upright.

A pyramid of number in case of a big tree is generally inverted because

number of insects feeding on that tree generally exceeds in number.

b) Pyramids of biomass- represent the biomass in various trophic levels. A

pyramid of mass is upright except in aquatic food chain involving short lived
plankton.

A pyramid of biomass in sea is generally inverted because biomass of

fishes generally exceeds that of phytoplankton.
c) Pyramids of energy- that give s graphic representation of amount of
energy trapped by different trophic levels per unit area. Pyramid of energy
is always upright, can never be inverted, because when energy flows from
a particular trophic level to the next trophic level, some energy is always
lost as heat at each step e.g in feeding, digestion, assimilation and
respiration.

Ecological Succession

The gradual and fairly predictable change in species composition of a given

area is called ecological succession. During succession some species
colonise an area and their population becomes more numerous whereas
population of other species decline and even disappear.

· Orderly and sequential change that leads to a community that is near

equilibrium is called climax community.

· The entire sequence of communities that successively changes in a given

area is called sere and individual transitional communities are termed seral
stage or seral communities.

Ecoloical Succession : Primary sucsesion, Secondary Succession

· Primary succession starts where no organism are there. For example

bare rocks, cooled volcano etc. Secondary succession occurs in the area
where the living organisms have lost due to certain regions like forest fire.
Earthquake etc.

Succession of Plants

On the basis of nature of habitat, succession of plants can be grouped as-

o Hydrach succession takes place in wetter area and the successional
series progress from hydric to the mesic conditions.

o Xerarch succession takes place in dry areas and series progress from
xeric to mesic conditions.

· The species that invade a bare area are called pioneer species. In
primary succession on rocks lichens are pioneer species that secrete acids
to dissolve the rock for weathering to form soil.

· In primary succession in water, the pioneer species are the small

phytoplanktons that are replaced by free floating angiosperms.

· Primary succession is slow process as soil is not available for pioneer

species but secondary succession is comparatively faster due to availability
of soil or other nutrients. A climax community is reached much faster in
case of secondary succession.

Nutrient Cycling

The movement of nutrients elements through the various components of an

ecosystem is called nutrient cycling. It is also called as biogeochemical
cycles. There are two types of nutrient cycles-
· Gaseous – exist in atmosphere.

· Sedimentary- exists in earth crust.

Environmental factors like soil, moisture, pH, temperature regulate the rate
of release of nutrients into the atmosphere. The function of reservoir is to
meet with the deficit which occurs due to imbalance in the rate fo influx and
efflux.

Carbon Cycle

Carbon cycling occurs through atmosphere, ocean and through living and
dead organisms. Most of carbon is fixed by plants during the process of
photosynthesis and returns to atmosphere in form of CO2 during
respiration. Burning of wood, forest fire and combustion of organic matter,
fossil fuel, and volcanic activity are other sources of releasing CO2 in the
atmosphere.

Phosphorus Cycle

The natural reservoir of phosphorus is rock which contains phosphorus in

the form of phosphates. On weathering, minute amount of phosphates
dissolve in soil solution and absorbed by the roots of the plants. The waste
products of dead organisms are decomposed by bacteria to release
phosphorus. Gaseous exchange between organism and environment is
negligible as compared to carbon.
Phosphorus Cycle

Ecosystem Services

The products of ecosystem processes are called ecosystem services. It

includes-

· The healthy forest ecosystem purify air and water

· Mitigates floods and droughts

· Cycle nutrients

· Generate fertile soil

· Provide wildlife habitat

· Maintain biodiversity etc.

Researchers have put an average price tag of US $33 trillion a year on

these fundamental ecosystems services which are taken granted because
they are free although its value is twice the total global gross national
product (GNP).
 Ch 14 – ECOSYSTEM

1. Fill in the blanks.

(a) Plants are called as_________ because they fix carbon dioxide.
(b) In an ecosystem dominated by trees, the pyramid (of numbers) is
_________ type.
(c) In aquatic ecosystems, the limiting factor for the productivity is
_________.
(d) Common detritivores in our ecosystem are_________.
(e) The major reservoir of carbon on earth is_________.

Ans. (a) Producers

(b) Upright

(c) Availability of sunlight

(d) Bacteria, fungi and earthworm

(e) Oceans

2. Which one of the following has the largest population in a food

chain?
(a) Producers
(b) Primary consumers
(c) Secondary consumers
(d) Decomposers

Ans. (d) Decomposers

Decomposers include micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungi. They
form the largest population in a food chain and obtain nutrients by breaking
down the remains of dead plants and animals.

3. The second trophic level in a lake is-

(a) Phytoplankton
(b) Zooplankton
(c) Benthos
(d) Fishes
Ans. (b) Zooplankton
Zooplankton are primary consumers in aquatic food chains that feed upon
phytoplankton. Therefore, they are present at the second trophic level in a
lake.

4. Secondary producers are

(a) Herbivores
(b) Producers
(c) Carnivores
(d) None of the above

Ans. (d) None of the above

Plants are the only producers. Thus, they are called primary producers.
There are no other producers in a food chain.

5. What is the percentage of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR),

in the incident solar radiation.
(a) 100%
(b) 50 %
(c) 1-5%
(d) 2-10%

Ans. (b) 50%

Out of total incident solar radiation, about fifty percent of it forms
photosynthetically active radiation or PAR.

6. Distinguish between
(a) Grazing food chain and detritus food chain
(b) Production and decomposition
(c) Upright and inverted pyramid
(d) Food chain and Food web
(e) Litter and detritus
(f) Primary and secondary productivity

Ans. (a) Grazing food chain and detritus food chain

Grazing Food Chain Detritus Food Chain

i. Energy for the food chain comes
i. Energy comes from detritus (organic matter).
from the Sun.
ii. First trophic level organisms are ii. First trophic level organisms are detritivores and
producers. decomposers.

(b) Production and decomposition

Production Decomposition
i. It refers to the process of synthesis of organic
i. It is the phenomenon of
compounds from inorganic substances utilising
degradation of waste biomass.
sunlight.
ii. Example: Plants perform the function of ii. Example: Bacteria and fungi
production of food. decompose dead organic matter.

(c) Upright pyramid and inverted pyramid

Upright Pyramid Inverted Pyramid

When the number of producers or their When the number of individuals or their
biomass is maximum in an ecosystem and biomass at the producer level is minimum
it decreases progressively at each trophic and it increases progressively at each
level in a food chain, an upright pyramid is trophic level in a food chain, an inverted
formed. pyramid is formed.

(d) Food chain and food web

Food Chain Food Web

i. A food chain is a single pathway where i. A food web is a network of various food
energy is transferred from producers to chains which are interconnected with each
successive orders of consumers. other like an interlocking pattern.
ii. All food chains start with green plants ii. It has many linkages and intercrosses
which are the original source of all food. among producers and consumers.

(e) Litter and detritus

Litter Detritus
The dead remains of plants (leaves, flowers The dead remains of plants and animals
etc.) and animals and animal excreta which constitute detritus. It is differentiated into
falls on the surface of the Earth in terrestrial litter fall (above ground detritus) and
ecosystems is called litter. below ground detritus.

(f) Primary and secondary productivity

Primary Productivity Secondary Productivity

i. It is the rate at which organic matter is built i. It is the rate of synthesis of organic
up by producers. matter by consumers.
ii. It is due to photosynthesis. ii. It is due to herbivory and predation.

7. Describe the components of an ecosystem.

Ans. An ecosystem is defined as an interacting unit that includes both the

biological community as well as the non-living components of an area.
The two components of an ecosystem are:

(a) Biotic component: It is the living component of an ecosystem that

includes biotic factors such as producers, consumers, decomposers, etc.
Producers include plants and algae. They contain chlorophyll pigment,
which helps them carry out the process of photosynthesis in the presence
of light.Consumers or heterotrophs are organisms that are directly (primary
consumers) or indirectly (secondary and tertiary consumers) dependent on
producers for their food. Decomposers include micro-organisms such as
bacteria and fungi. They form the largest population in a food chain and
obtain nutrients by breaking down the remains of dead plants and animals.

(b) Abiotic component: They are the non-living component of an

ecosystem such as light, temperature, water, soil, air, inorganic nutrients,
etc.

8. Define ecological pyramids and describe with examples, pyramids

of number and biomass.

Ans. An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation of various

ecological parameters such as the number of individuals present at each
trophic level, the amount of energy, or the biomass present at each trophic
level. Ecological pyramids represent producers at the base, while the apex
represents the top level consumers present in the ecosystem. There are
three types of pyramids:

(a) Pyramid of numbers

(b) Pyramid of energy
(c) Pyramid of biomass

Pyramid of numbers: It is a graphical representation of the number of

individuals present at each trophic level in a food chain of an ecosystem.
The pyramid of numbers can be upright or inverted depending on the
number of producers. For example, in a grassland ecosystem, the pyramid
of numbers is upright. In this type of a food chain, the number of producers
(plants) is followed by the number of herbivores (mice), which in turn is
followed by the number of secondary consumers (snakes) and tertiary
carnivores (eagles). Hence, the number of individuals at the producer level
will be the maximum, while the number of individuals present at top
carnivores will be least.

On the other hand, in a parasitic food chain, the pyramid of numbers is

inverted. In this type of a food chain, a single tree (producer) provides food
to several fruit eating birds, which in turn support several insect species.
Pyramid of biomass

A pyramid of biomass: It is a graphical representation of the total amount

of living matter present at each trophic level of an ecosystem. It can be
upright or inverted. It is upright in grasslands and forest ecosystems as the
amount of biomass present at the producer level is higher than at the top
carnivore level. The pyramid of biomass is inverted in a pond ecosystem as
the biomass of fishes far exceeds the biomass of zooplankton (upon which
they feed).
9. What is primary productivity? Give brief description of factors that
affect primary productivity.

Ans. It is defined as the amount of organic matter or biomass produced by

producers per unit area over a period of time. Primary productivity of an
ecosystem depends on the variety of environmental factors such as light,
temperature, water, precipitation, etc. It also depends on the availability of
nutrients and the availability of plants to carry out photosynthesis.

10. Define decomposition and describe the processes and products of

decomposition.

Ans. Decomposition is the process that involves the breakdown of complex

organic matter or biomass from the body of dead plants and animals with
the help of decomposers into inorganic raw materials such as carbon
dioxide, water, and other nutrients.

The various processes involved in decomposition are as follows:

(1) Fragmentation: It is the first step in the process of decomposition. It

involves the breakdown of detritus into smaller pieces by the action of
detritivores such as earthworms.
(2) Leaching: It is a process where the water soluble nutrients go down into
the soil layers and get locked as unavailable salts.

(3) Catabolism: It is a process in which bacteria and fungi degrade detritus

through various enzymes into smaller pieces.

(4) Humification: The next step is humification which leads to the formation
of a dark- coloured colloidal substance called humus, which acts as
reservoir of nutrients for plants.

(5) Mineralization: The humus is further degraded by the action of

microbes, which finally leads to the release of inorganic nutrients into the
soil. This process of releasing inorganic nutrients from the humus is known
as mineralization. Decomposition produces a dark coloured, nutrient-rich
substance called humus. Humus finally degrades and releases inorganic
raw materials such as CO2, water, and other nutrient in the soil.

11. Give an account of energy flow in an ecosystem.

Ans. Energy enters an ecosystem from the Sun. Solar radiations help
plants in carrying out the process of photosynthesis. Also, they help
maintain the Earth’s temperature for the survival of living organisms. Some
solar radiations are reflected by the Earth’s surface. Only 2-10 percent of
solar energy is captured by green plants (producers) during photosynthesis
to be converted into food. The rate at which the biomass is produced by
plants during photosynthesis is termed as ‘gross primary productivity’.
When these green plants are consumed by herbivores, only 10% of the
stored energy from producers is transferred to herbivores. The remaining
90 % of this energy is used by plants for various processes such as
respiration, growth, and reproduction. Similarly, only 10% of the energy of
herbivores is ransferred to carnivores. This is known as ten percent law of
energy flow.
12. Write important features of a sedimentary cycle in an ecosystem.

Ans. Sedimentary cycles have their reservoirs in the Earth’s crust or rocks.
Nutrient elements are found in the sediments of the Earth. Elements such
as sulphur, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium have sedimentary cycles.
Sedimentary cycles are very slow. They take a long time to complete their
circulation and are considered as less perfect cycles. This is because
during recycling, nutrient elements may get locked in the reservoir pool,
thereby taking a very long time to come out and continue circulation. Thus,
it usually goes out of circulation for a long time.

13. Outline salient features of carbon cycling in an ecosystem

Ans.
The carbon cycle is an important gaseous cycle which has its reservoir pool
in the atmosphere. All living organisms contain carbon as a major body
constituent. Carbon is a fundamental element found in all living forms. All
biomolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins required for life
processes are made of carbon. Carbon is incorporated into living forms
through a fundamental process called ‘photosynthesis’. Photosynthesis
uses sunlight and atmospheric carbon dioxide to produce a carbon
compound called ‘glucose’. This glucose molecule is utilized by other living
organisms. Thus, atmospheric carbon is incorporated in living forms. Now,
it is necessary to recycle this absorbed carbon dioxide back into the
atmosphere to complete the cycle. There are various processes by which
carbon is recycled back into the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide
gas. The process of respiration breaks down glucose molecules to produce
carbon dioxide gas. The process of decomposition also releases carbon
dioxide from dead bodies of plants and animals into the atmosphere.
Combustion of fuels, industrialization, deforestation, volcanic eruptions, and
forest fires act as other major sources of carbon dioxide.
 CBSE Class 12 Biology
NCERT Exemplar Solutions
CHAPTER 14
ECOSYSTEM

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Decomposers like fungi and bacteria are:

(i) autotrophs

(ii) heterotrophs

(iii) saprotrophs

(iv) chemo-autotrophs.

Choose the correct answer:

(a) (i) and (iii)

(b) (i) and (iv)

(c) (ii) and (iii)

(d) (i) and (ii)

Ans. (c) (ii) and (iii)

Explanation: Decomposers depend on other organisms for food, hence

they are heterotrophs. They obtain nutrients by decomposing the detritus
and hence are called saprotrophs.

2. The process of mineralisation by microorganisms helps in the

release of:

(a) inorganic nutrients from humus

(b) both organic and inorganic nutrients from detritus

(c) organic nutrients from humus

(d) inorganic nutrients from detritus and formation of humus.

Ans. (a) inorganic nutrients from humus

Explanation: The term mineralisation means formation of inorganic

minerals. Here the process is being carried out by micro organisms instead
of laboratory methods.

3. Productivity is the rate of production of biomass expressed in

terms of:

(i) (kcal m ) yr -3 -1

(ii) g yr
-2 -1

(iii) g yr
-1 -1

(iv) (kcal m ) yr -2 -1

(a) (ii)

(b) (iii)

(c) (ii) and (iv)

(d) (i) and (iii)

Ans. (c) (ii) and (iv)

Explanation: (c) (ii) and (iv)

4. An inverted pyramid of biomass can be found in which ecosystem?

(a) Forest

(b) Marine

(c) Grass land

(d) Tundra

Ans. (b) Marine

Explanation: In marine environment, the size of fish is much bigger than
phytoplankton. Hence, we get an inverted biomass pyramid in marine
ecosystem.

5. Which of the following is not a producer?

(a) Spirogyra

(b) Agaricus

(c) Volvox

(d) Nostoc

Ans. (b) Agaricus

Explanation: Agaricus belongs to fungi and hence are saprotrophs, while

others belong to algae which are autrotrophs.

6. Which of the following ecosystems is most productive in terms of

net primary production?

(a) Deserts

(b) Tropical rain forests

(c) Oceans

(d) Estuaries

Ans. (b) Tropical rain forests

Explanations: Tropical rain forests have high population density of green

plants. Hence, net primary productions are maximum in such conditions.

7. Pyramid of numbers is:

(a) Always upright

(b) Always inverted

(c) Ether upright or inverted

(d) Neither upright nor inverted.

Ans. (c) Ether upright or inverted

Explanation: Number of predators can be more than number of producers;

as in case of insects taking food from a tree. This will show an inverted
number pyramid. Small number of herbivores feeding on large number
of plants will give an upright number pyramid.

8. Approximately how much of the solar energy that falls on the

leaves of a plant is converted to chemical energy by photosynthesis?

(a) Less than 1%

(b) 2-10%

(c) 30%

(d) 50%

Ans. (b) 2-10%

Explanation: (b) 2-10%

9. Among the following, where do you think the process of

decomposition would be the fastest?

(a) Tropical rain forest

(b) Antarctic

(c) Dry arid region

(d) Alpine region

Ans. (a) Tropical rain forest

Explanation: In tropical rain forest, there is ambient temperature, good

moisture and plenty of sugar in detritus. Due to this, rate of decomposition
would be fast.
10. How much of the net primary productivity of a terrestrial
ecosystem is eaten and digested by herbivores?

(a) 1%

(b) 10%

(c) 40%

(d) 90%

Ans. (b) 10%

Explanation: This obeys the law of 10%

11. During the process of ecological succession the changes that take
place in communities are:

(a) Orderly and sequential

(b) Random

(c) Very quick

(d) Not influenced by the physical environment.

Ans. (a) Orderly and sequential

Explanation: (a) Orderly and sequential

12. Climax community is in a state of:

(a) non-equilibrium

(b) equilibrium

(c) disorder

(d) constant change.

Ans. (b) equilibrium

Explanation: (b) equilibrium

13. Among the following biogeochemical cycles which one does not
have losses due to respiration?

(a) Phosphorus

(b) Nitrogen

(c) Sulphur

(d) All of the above

Ans. (d) All of the above

Explanation: Losses due to respiration is seen in case of carbon cycle.

14. The sequence of communities of primary succession in water is:

(a) phytoplankton, sedges, free-floating hydrophytes, rooted

hydrophytes, grasses and trees.

(b) phytoplankton, free-floating hydrophytes, rooted hydrophytes,

sedges, grasses and trees.

(c) free-floating hydrophytes, sedges, phytoplankton, rooted

hydrophytes, grasses and trees.

(d) phytoplankton, rooted submerged hydrophytes, floating

hydrophytes, reed swamp, sedges, meadow and trees.

Ans. (d) phytoplankton, rooted submerged hydrophytes, floating

hydrophytes, reed swamp, sedges, meadow and trees.

Explanation: (d) phytoplankton, rooted submerged hydrophytes, floating

hydrophytes, reed swamp, sedges, meadow and trees.

15. The reservoir for the gaseous type of biogeochemical cycle exists
in

(a) stratosphere
(b) atmosphere

(c) ionosphere

(d) lithosphere

And. (b) atmosphere

Explanation: (b) atmosphere

16. If the carbon atoms fixed by producers already have passed

through three species, the trophic level of the last species would be.

(a) scavenger

(b) tertiary producer

(c) tertiary consumer

(d) secondary consumer

Ans. (c) tertiary consumer

Explanation: The three species in sequence are; primary consumer,

secondary consumer and tertiary consumer.

17. Which of the following type of ecosystem is expected in an area

where evaporation exceeds precipitation, and mean annual rainfall is
below 100mm.

(a) Grassland

(b) Shrubby forest

(c) Desert

(d) Mangrove

Ans. (c) Desert

Explanation: (c) Desert

18. The zone at the edge of a lake or ocean which is alternatively
exposed to air and immersed in water is called:

(a) Pelagic zone

(b) Benthic zone

(c) Lentic one

(d) Littoral zone

Ans. (d) Littoral zone

Explanation: (d) Littoral zone

19. Edaphic factor refers to:

(a) Water

(b) Soil

(c) Relative humidity

(d) Altitude

Ans. (b) Soil

Explanation: (b) Soil

20. Which of the following is an ecosystem service provided by a

natural ecosystem?

(a) Cycling of nutrients

(b) Prevention of soil erosion

(c) Pollutant absorption and reduction of the threat of global warming

(d) All of the above

Ans. (d) All of the above

Explanation: (d) All of the above are habitats provided by nature and
natural ecosystem.
 NCERT Exemplar Solutions
CHAPTER 14
ECOSYSTEM

Very Short Answer Type Questions

1. Name an organism found as secondary carnivore in an aquatic

ecosystem.

Ans. Shark

2. What does the base tier of the ecological pyramid represent?

Ans. Producers

3. Under what conditions would a particular stage in the process of

succession revert back to an earlier stage?

Ans. Under natural or human-induced disturbances, a particular stage in

process of succession would revert back to an earlier stage.

4. Arrange the following as observed in vertical stratification of a

forest:

Grass, Shrubby plants, Teak, Amaranths.

Ans. Teak Amaranths Shrubby plants Grass

5. Name an omnivore which occurs in both grazing food chain and the
decomposer food chain.

Ans. Crow

6. Justify the pitcher plant as a producer.

Ans. Pitcher plant contains chlorophyll and carries out photosynthesis. It
feeds on insect only to obtain nitrogen from them. Hence,a pitcher plant is
a producer.

7. Name any two organisms which can occupy more than one trophic
level in an ecosystem.

Ans. Sparrow: It is a primary consumer when it feeds on grans but

becomes a secondary consumer when it feeds on worms and insects.

Human: It is a primary consumer when it feeds on grains and pulses but

becomes a secondary consumer when it feeds on lamb.

8. In the North East region of India, during the process of jhum

cultivation, forests are cleared by burning and left for regrowth after a
year of cultivation. How would you explain the regrowth of forest in
ecological term?

Ans. In this case, regrowth of forests is an example of ecological

succession. After clearing of forests, the conditions becomes xerarch which
proceeds to mesarch condition after the growth of forests.

9. Climax stage is achieved quickly in secondary succession as

compared to primary succession. Why?

Ans. After primary succession, soil becomes available. It provides ideal

condition for growth of bigger plants. Secondary succession is achieved
quickly as compared to primary succession. Hence, climax is also reached
more quickly.

10. Among bryophytes, lichens and fern which one is a pioneer

species in a xeric succession?

Ans. Lichens

11. What is the ultimate source of energy for the ecosystems?

Ans. Sun

12. Is the common edible mushroom an autotroph or a heterotroph?

Ans. Heterotroph

13. Why are oceans least productive?

Ans. Availability of solar radiation is least in oceans; especially in deep

oceans. Due to this, oceans are least productive.

14. Why is the rate of assimilation of energy at the herbivore level

called secondary productivity?

Ans. Rate of formation of new organic matter by consumers is called

secondary productivity. The consumers get raw materials for this purpose
from producers; which is made possible through assimilation. Due to this,
the rate assimilation of energy at the herbivore level is called secondary
productivity.

15. Why are nutrient cycles in nature called biogeochemical cyles?

Ans. Nutrients are cycles through biotic components as well as through

abiotic components. The term ‘bio’ shows biotic components while ‘geo’
shows abiotic components. Hence, nutrient cycles in nature are called
biogeochemical cycles.

16. Give any two examples of xerarch succession.

Ans. Lichen → Bryophytes → Pteridophytes → Gymnosperms and

Angiosperms

Lichen → Moss → Ferns → Cycas → Grasses

17. Define self-sustainability.

Ans. A system which is sustainable without relying on any external input is
called a self-sustainable system. This ability of the system is called self-
sustainability. Natural ecosystems are self-sustainable.

18. Given below is a figure of an ecosystem. Answer the following

questions.

(a) What type of ecosystem is shown in the figure.

(b) Name any plant that is characteristic of such ecosystem.

Ans. (a) Desert ecosystem

(b) Bushes, acacia, etc.

19. What is common to earthworm, mushroom, soil mites and dung

beetle in an ecosystem.

Ans. All of them are part of the detritus food chain.

 NCERT Exemplar Solutions
CHAPTER 14
ECOSYSTEM

Short Answer Type Questions

1. Organisms at a higher trophic level have less energy available.

Comment.

Ans. As per the law of 10% just 10% of the total energy consumed by an
organism at a particular trophic level is available for the organism at next
trophic level. So, whatever energy is converted into biomass by a producer;
just 10% of it is available for the primary consumer. Similarly, just 10% of
the energy consumed by the primary consumer is available for secondary
consumer. Due to this, organisms at a higher trophic level less energy
available.

2. The number of trophic levels in an ecosystem are limited.

Comment.

Ans. In any ecosystem, the number of trophic levels can go up to a

maximum of five and in that case the food chain will look like following:

Producer → Primary Consumer → Secondary Consumer → Tertiary

consumer → Quaternary Consumer

Let us assume that producer captures 100 units of energy. Out of this, 90
units will be utilized by the producer and 10 units will be available for the
primary consumer. Finally, just 0.001 unit will be available for the
quaternary consumer; which is a negligible amount of energy. Hence, more
trophic levels are not possible in any ecosystem.

3. Is an aquarium a complete ecosystem?

Ans. Aquarium is man-made ecosystem and it has its own limitations. The
confined space of aquarium cannot have endless supply of inorganic
materials for producers. For supporting even a small number of consumers,
there is a need for a large number of producers which is not possible in a
small space of aquarium. One needs to provides food for the fish in the
aquarium and regular cleaning of aquarium is also necessary. This shows
that an aquarium is not a complete ecosystem because it is not self-
sustainable.

4. What could be the reason for the faster rate of decomposition in the
tropics?

Ans. Decomposition is largely a oxygen-requiring process. Moreover,

ambient temperature and moisture are also required for this. If detritus is
rich in nitrogen and water-soluble substances then decomposition is faster.
All these conditions are available in the tropical climate. Hence, there is a
faster rate of decomposition in the tropics.

5. Human activities interfere with carbon cycle. List any two such
activities.

Ans. Following are the two activities which interfere with carbon cycle:

(a) Clearing of forests: Reduced green cover hampers carbonification and

thus interferes with carbon cycle.

(b) Burning of Fossil Fuels: Burning of fossil fuels adds carbon to the
atmosphere and increases the percentage of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere. It also interferes with the carbon cycle.

6. Flow of energy through various trophic levels in an ecosystem is

unidirectional and non-cyclic. Explain.

Ans. About 90% of the energy consumed by an organism at a particular

trophic level is dissipated in the form of heat energy. This leaves just 10%
for the organism at the next trophic level. By the time, it reaches the
topmost trophic level; the available energy is a minuscule portion of the
energy which was originally converted by the producer. Due to this, energy
flow is unidirectional through various trophic levels and is non-cyclic.

7. A part from plants and animals, microbes form a permanent biotic

component in an ecosystem. While plants have been referred to as
autotrophs and animals as heterotrophs, what are microbes referred
to as? How do the microbes fulfil their energy requirements?

Ans. Productivity, decomposition, energy flow and nutrient cycling are

integral features of any ecosystem. Plants and animals play important roles
in productivity. While some microbes play the role in productivity; as some
of them microbes are autotrophs, e.g. some algae and some
chemosynthetic bacteria. Most of the microbes are heterotrophs. Parasitic
microbes get nutrition from the host on which they depend. Many microbes
are saprotrophs. They get nutrition from detritus, i.e. they are important part
of detritus food chain.

8. Poaching of tiger is a burning issue in today's world. What

implication would this activity have on the functioning of the
ecosystem of which the tigers are an integral part?

Ans. Tigers are tertiary consumers and are at the top of the food pyramid
in the forest ecosystem. A tertiary consumer helps in checking the
uncontrolled population growth of secondary and primary consumers. If all
tigers are killed then no animal will be left to control the population of
herbivores. This will result in quick exhaustion of producers. Finally, in the
absence of producers, the herbivores will die because of starvation. This
will destroy the whole ecosystem.

9. In relation to energy transfer in ecosystem, explain the statement

"10kg of deer's meat is equivalent to 1 kg of lion's flesh".

Ans. We know that just 10% of energy consumed at a trophic level is

available for the next trophic level. Here; 10 kg of deer’s meat means 10kg
of biomass at the level of primary consumer. Out of this, 90% is utilized by
the deer for its own needs. Rest 10%, i.e. just 1 kg is available for the lion.
Hence, it is correct to say that 10 kg of deer’s meat is equivalent to 1 kg of
lion’s flesh.

10. Primary productivity varies from ecosystem to ecosystem.

Explain?

Ans. Primary productivity is the biomass produced per unit area over a
time period by photosynthesis. In simple terms, it is the amount of biomass
produced by green pants in a particular ecosystem. Plant population varies
from one ecosystem to another. Number of plants is higher in tropical
rainforests compared to in deserts. So, primary productivity would be much
higher in tropical rainforests than in deserts. This shows that primary
productivity varies from ecosystem to ecosystem.

11. Sometimes due to biotic/abiotic factor the climax remain in a

particular seral stage (pre climax) without reaching climax. Do you
agree with this statement. If yes give a suitable example.

Ans. This entire sequence of communities that successively change in a

given area are called sere (s). All the biotic and abiotic factors play crucial
role in this transition process and thus enable a community to reach the
climax. If biotic and abiotic factors are not supportive enough for climax
then the community may remain in a particular seral stage without reaching
the climax. Presence of sparse vegetation at table top mountain can be one
example of a community in seral stage. The community at the table top
mountain may be in a stage in which only ferns and mosses may be
present. In due course of time, it would pave way for higher plants.

12. What is an incomplete ecosystem? Explain with the help of

suitable example.

Ans. An ecosystem which is devoid of certain biotic or abiotic factors is

called an incomplete ecosystem. An incomplete ecosystem cannot be a
self-sustaining ecosystem. Aquarium is a good example of an incomplete
ecosystem. The aquarium may be having producers and consumers but it
does not have decomposers. Lack of decomposers necessitates frequent
cleaning of the aquarium.

13. What are the shortcomings of ecological pyramids in the study of

ecosystem?

Ans. Following are the shortcomings of ecological pyramids:

 It does not take into account the same species belonging to two or
more trophic levels.
 It is based on the assumption of simple food chain. However, simple
food chain never exists in nature. It is the complex food web which
exists in nature.
  A food pyramid does not take into account the decomposers. But the
fact is, decomposers play important role in nutrient cycle.

14. How do you distinguish between humification and mineralisation?

Ans. Both humification and mineralization are important aspects of detritus

food chain. Humification leads to formation of dark coloured amorphous
substance called humus, while decomposition leads to formation of
inorganic compounds from organic matter. Mineralisation results in
complete breakdown of organic compounds into inorganic compounds,
which is not the case with humifaction.

15. Fill in the trophic levels (1, 2, 3 and 4) in the boxes provided in the
figure.

Ans. 1: Producer, 2: Primary Consumer, 3: Secondary Consumer, 4:

Tertiary Consumer.

16. The rate of decomposition of detritus is affected by the abiotic

factors like availability of oxygen, pH of the soil substratum,
temperature etc. Discuss.

Ans. Decomposition is carried out by living beings but several abiotic

factors also affect the rate of decomposition. This is a oxygen-intensive
process and hence availability of oxygen governs the rate of
decomposition. In case of plenty of oxygen, the rate of decomposition will
be faster. Rate of decomposition is faster in warm conditions than in could
conditions. pH also affects the rate of decomposition. Rate of
decomposition is faster in neutral soil than in acidic soil.
 NCERT Exemplar Solutions
CHAPTER 14
ECOSYSTEM

Long Answer Type Questions

1. A farmer harvests his crop and expresses his harvest in three

different ways.

(a) I have harvested 10 quintals of wheat.

(b) I have harvested 10 quintals of wheat today in one acre of land.

(c) I have harvested 10 quintals of wheat in one acre of land, 6 months

after sowing.

Do the above statements mean one and the same thing. If your
answer is yes, give reasons. And if your answer is ‘no’ explain the
meaning of each expression.

Ans. Different statements mean different things.

The first statement shows only the quantity of biomass produced but it does
not show the duration and area in which it was produced.

The second statement shows quantity and area but it does not show the
duration in which it was produced.

The third statement is a complete as it shows the quantity, area and

duration. Information from the third statement can be used to calculate
primary productivity in the farm: in term of biomass produced.

2. Justify the following statement in terms of ecosystem dynamics.

“Nature tends to increase the gross primary productivity, while man
tends to increase the net primary productivity”.

Ans. Rate of production of organic matter in an ecosystem is called Gross

Primary Productivity (GPP). When we subtract the respiratory losses (R)
from GPP, we get Net Primary Productivity (NPP).
Nature provides various biotic and abiotic factors to enhance the rate of
Gross Primary Productivity. Hence, it can be said that nature tends to
increase the gross primary productivity.

But human beings need to make optimum utilization of the biomass

produced. This is achieved in various ways; like harvesting the crop at the
right time and plucking the fruits at the right time. If fruits will be left on the
tree for a longer time, it will result in higher respiratory losses. A higher
respiratory loss will reduce NPP. By plucking the fruits at the right time,
man tries to increase the net primary productivity.

3. Which of the following ecosystems will be more productive in terms

of primary productivity? Justify your answer. A young forest, a
natural old forest, a shallow polluted lake, alpine meadow.

Ans. A young forest can be assumed as a community which is yet to reach

climax. This means the density of trees is less in this forest. Less number
of trees means a lower primary productivity.

A natural old forest can be assumed as a community which has reached its
climax. Most of the plants must be big tress with thick foliage. This will
result in a higher level of primary productivity.

A shallow polluted lake may not have much of producers. Pollution must
have taken its toll on the ecosystem in this pond. Thus, this pond may be
having very low primary productivity.

An alpine meadow is full of grasses with little or no tree. Less number of

trees means low primary productivity.

In the context of above discussions, it can be said that the natural old forest
has the highest level of primary productivity.

4. What are the three types of ecological pyramids. What information

is conveyed by each pyramid with regard to structure, function and
energy in the ecosystem.

Ans. Following are the three types of ecological pyramids:

(a) Pyramid of Numbers: This pyramid shows the number of individuals at

different trophic levels. Producers are kept at the bottom of the pyramid;
followed by primary consumers, secondary consumers and so on. In most
of the cases, the shape of the pyramid bottom heavy. In some cases, this
pyramid can be inverted in shape.

(b) Pyramid of Biomass: This pyramid shows the biomass (in terms of dry
weight) at

different trophic levels. Producers are kept at the bottom of the pyramid;
followed by primary consumers, secondary consumers and so on. In most
the cases, the shape of the pyramid bottom heavy. In some cases, this
pyramid can be inverted in shape.

(c) Pyramid of Energy: This pyramid shows energy consumed at different

tropic level.

Producers are kept at the bottom of the pyramid; followed by pyramid

consumers, secondary consumers and so on. In most of the cases, the
shape of the pyramid bottom heavy. This pyramid can never be of inverted
shape.

In any type of pyramid, a particular tropic level shows a functional level. An

organism may be present at more than one level. Flow of energy will
always be from prey to predator. Availability of energy reduces at
subsequent levels.
5. Write a short note on pyramid of numbers and pyramid of biomass.

Ans. Pyramid of Numbers: This pyramid shows the number of individuals

at different trophic levels. Producers are kept at the bottom of the pyramid;
followed by primary consumers, secondary consumers and so on. In most
of the cases, the shape of the pyramid bottom heavy. In some cases, this
pyramid can be inverted in shape.

Pyramid of Biomass: This pyramid shows the biomass (in terms of dry
weight) at different trophic levels. Producers are kept at the bottom of the
pyramid; followed by primary consumers, secondary consumers and so on.
In most of the cases, the shape of the pyramid bottom heavy. In some
cases, this pyramid can be inverted in shape.

6. Given below is a list of autotrophs and heterotrophs. With your

knowledge about food chain, establish various linkages between the
organisms on the principle of ‘eating and being eaten’. What is this
inter-linkage established known as?

Algae, hydrilla, grasshopper, rat, squirrel, crow, maize plant, deer,

rabbit, lizard, wolf, snake, peacock, phytoplankton, crustaceans,
whale, tiger, lion, sparrow, duck, crane, cockroach, spider, toad, fish,
leopard, elephant, goat, Nymphaea, Spirogyra.

Ans. This interlinkage of different organisms is called food web. Following

two food webs are possible with the given list of organisms.
7. “The energy flow in the ecosystem follows the second law of
thermodynamics.” Explain.

Ans. The second law of thermodynamics says that the entropy of an

isolated system never decreases; such a system will spontaneously
proceed towards thermodynamic equilibrium. The configuration with
maximum entropy is in thermodynamic equilibrium.

An ecosystem needs a constant supply of energy to synthesize the

molecules they require. In an ecosystem, the energy flows is always
unidirectional because as per the law of thermodynamics; reverse flow of
energy would put the system in non-equilibrium.

We have seen that energy from the sun is trapped by producers and
producers function as conduit to supply energy to the next trophic levels.
Energy never flows from a higher trophic level to a lower trophic level
because it cannot be in tune with the law of thermodynamics.

8. What will happen to an ecosystem if:

(a) All producers are removed;

(b) All organisms of herbivore level are eliminated; and
(c) All top carnivore population is removed

Ans. (a) If all producers are removed from an ecosystem, then there will be
no food for the primary consumers. All the primary consumers will be wiped
out because of starvation. This will leave no food for secondary and tertiary
consumers and they will also be finished in due course of time. This will be
the end of the ecosystem.

(b) If all herbivores are eliminated from an ecosystem, there will be no food
for the carnivores. Eventually, all the carnivores would be finished because
of lack of food. Absence of herbivores will also result in exponential growth
in plant population. But lack of other biotic factors will stop biogeochemical
cycle. This will finally finish the ecosystem.

(c) If all the top carnivores are eliminated, then population of herbivores will
become manifold. This will put the existence of green plants in danger
because of overgrazing. Loss of green plants will force the herbivores to
die because of starvation.

9. Give two examples of artificial or man-made ecosystems. List the

salient features by which they differ from natural ecosystems.

Ans.

Natural Ecosystem Man-made Ecosystem

(i) Develops without human (i) Needs human intervention to
intervention. develop.
(ii) Many natural ecosystems are (ii) Man-made ecosystems span limited
spanned over huge areas. area.
(iii) Nutrients are replenished by
(iii) Nutrients are replenished
humans, e.g. synthetic fertilizers, feed in
through biogeochemical cycles.
aquarium, etc.
(iv) Populations of producers and (iv) Populations of producers and
consumers are in proper balance. consumers are not in proper balance.
(v) They are self-sustaining. (v) They are not self-sustaining.

10. The biodiversity increases when one moves from the pioneer to
the climax stage. What could be the explanation?

Ans. Biodiversity of a community depends on the availability of food for

consumers. If there is rich diversity in flora then more types of consumers
can be supported in community.

When a community is at pioneer stage, lichens, bryophytes and

pteridophytes are the main plants. These plants do not produce enough
biomass which can sustain a diverse fauna. Hence, biodiversity would be
limited at this stage.

When community reaches the climax; it is proliferated by gymnosperms

and angiosperms. These plants produce enough biomass to sustain a
diverse fauna. Hence, biodiversity increases at this stage.
11. What is a biogeochemical cycle. What is the role of the reservoir in
a biogeochemical cycle. Give an example of a sedimentary cycle with
reservoir located in earth’s crust.

Ans. The movement of nutrients through various elements of ecosystem is

called nutrient cycling or biogeochemical cycle. Nutrient cycling ensures
that nutrients are never lost form the ecosystem. They keep on getting
replenished in the reservoirs in ecosystem.

Role of Reservoir: Whenever there is an imbalance between efflux and

influx of a particular nutrient, there can be deficit of that nutrient. The
reservoir counters this deficit by supplying the required nutrient.

Phosphorus Cycle: The reservoir of phosphorus is located in the earth’s

crust. Phosphorus cycle is one of the examples of sedimentary cycle.
Rocks are the natural reservoirs of phosphorus. Phosphorus is present in
rocks in the form of phosphates. During weathering of rocks, minute
quantities of phosphates get dissolved in soil solution.

Phosphates in soil solution are absorbed by roots of plants. The primary

and secondary consumers get phosphates from plants.

When dead organisms are decomposed by phosphates-solubilising

bacteria, phosphorus is released back to the environment.

12. What will be the P/R ratio of a climax community and a pioneer
community. What explanation could you offer for the changes seen in
P/R ratio of a pioneer community and the climax community.

Ans. The ratio of gross production and community respiration is called P/R
ratio of a community. This can be 1, less than 1 or more than 1.

The P/R ratio in a pioneer community can be less than or more than 1.

On the other hand, the P/R ratio of a climax community is 1.

In case of pioneer community, two situations can be present.

(a) When gross productivity is more and there are very few consumers then
level of respiratory loss would be less. This will result in a P/R ratio more
than 1.
(b) When rate of decomposition is more because of large population of
decomposers, then gross productivity will be less than respiratory losses. In
this case, the P/R ratio is less than 1.

In case of climax community, P/R ratio is equal to one. This happens

because of stability in the community.

The following graph shows the P/R ratio at different stages of community
succession. Primary community is shown at the origin, while climax
community is shown at extreme right.
 Value Based Questions

Ecosystem

1. The city government is planning to bring metro rail to your area. But this
will require around 10,000 trees to be cut. Do you think govt. should go
ahead with the project? Justify your answer?

2. You find that a lake in your neighboring area has been covered by Water
hyacinth. You have contacted your friends to remove this weed. Nobody
agrees to support you .How will you explain the necessity of this?

3. Now a days we see that people use CD’s and DVD’s for storing
information, movies and songs. Do you think these things create pollution?

4. Government of India has launched clean Ganga programme by the

name Ganga Action Plan. Do you want to be a part of it? How?

5. You have read the newspaper reports that lots of cows die because of
polythene bags getting entangled in their intestine. You go to market and
see vegetable vender selling vegetables in plastic bags. What will be your
suggestion to - (i) buyer and (ii) seller?

6. One of your friends Rakesh has gone to jungle safari with his family. On
returning from that safari he is sharing experiences with you and tells that
his father who is a businessman hunted a deer with his gun. What will you
tell your friend after knowing about their expedition?

7. Pankhuri watched a TV program based on life in polar region. She

observed that all the animals in polar region possess larger size and
smaller animals are not found in that region. She asked about this
surprising fact to her friends. Being her friend, how can you satisfy her
curiosity?

8. Ajay a notorious boy often involved in destruction of surrounding plants

and killing small animals. You are given a responsibility to make him
understand about importance of each and every organism present in world.
How can you explain him about it and which hypothesis you will use for it?

9. A well known personality killed a back buck during hunting in sacred

groves of Aravali Hills in Rajasthan. Local people caught him and lodged a
case in court against him. He argued that court that killing a human being is
a crime but killing a animal is not crime.
  Do you favor his argument? Why?
 What is the role of scared groves? Mention any two names of such
places other than Aravali Hills.

10. Anil and Sunil are partners and established a factory. After a few
months electrostatic precipitator became out of order. Sunil wanted to
replace it but Anil expressed the view that they have no effect of it on
productivity as well as income; therefore they should not waste money to
replace it.
(a) Out of these partners whom do you support and why?
(b) Suggest any two measures to stop such negligence.

11. A team of research workers observed that the population of fish eating
birds is declining every year after the establishment of a pesticide factory
nearby five years ago.
(a) What may be the possible reason in your opinion? Explain?
(b) Can you suggest alternative to pesticide so that factory may be
stopped.

12. A few months ago the people of Ramgarh started a bad practice of
disposing their waste in the pond of village which was earlier source of
drinking water. It resulted in deterioration of quality of water and fish
mortality.
(a) What changes do you think have taken place in pond? Name such
condition.
(b) What measure will you take to stop villagers for such practices as well
as to improve the condition?

Answers & Values

1. Yes. But the track of metro should be so changed that minimum no of

trees are cut. Track can be made underground and more trees can be
planted after the project is over.
Values

 Sensitivity towards environment

 Decision making.

2. Friends should be explained the process of natural ageing of a lake by

mineral enrichment of water. (eutrophication) which is harmful to aquatic
life .
Values
  Problem solving
 Critical thinking.
 Responsibility

3. Yes. Because all this material contain heavy metals and toxics
substances and known as e-wastes.
Values

 Concern about environment.

 Awareness.

4. Yes I will start awareness programmes like Nukkad Nataks, rallies and
slogans making to keep the river clean.
Values

 Innovation
 Service to society

5. I) Use cloth or jute bag to save environment and thus life of cow
II) Use paper bags, polythene are non biodegradable and toxic.
Values

 Sensitivity to words environment

 Concern.

6. It is unethical and leads to loss of biodiversity and result in imbalance in

Eco system.
Values

 Concern about animal.

 Empathy.

7. Because smaller animals have larger surface area relative their volume
so they lose body heat very fast when it is cold outside. They have to
expense lot of energy to generate body heat.
Values

 Critical thinking
 Awareness.

8. Explanation through “Rivet popper hypothesis.

Values

 Social responsibility
 Concerns about eco system.
9. A) No because each living organism has its own role in balanced eco
system.
b) Sacred groves are culturally protected area where large no of rare and
Threatened wild life is given total protection.
[Any other two sacred groves]
Values

 Awareness
 Responsibility.

10. A) I will support Sunil because his approach is eco friendly.

B) By imposing fine and punishment
Cancellation of registration of such industries

Values

 Decision making
 Concern about environment

11. A) Pesticide entering in food chain and resulting in biomagnifications

B) Bio controlling agent to remove pest
Values

 Problem solving
 Critical thinking.

12. A) Eutrophication – Brief explanation.

B) Any two means of spreading awareness of disposal of waste and
keeping the pond clean.
Values

 Service to society
 Concern about environment.
 Important Questions
Chapter 14
Ecosystem

1 Marks Questions

1. Decomposition is faster if deteritus is rich in nitrogen and water

soluble substance like sugars. When is the decomposition process
slower?

Ans.Its slower if detritus is rich in lignin and chitin.

2. If we count the number of insects on a tree and number of small

birds depending on those insects as also the number of larger birds
eating the smaller, what kind of pyramid of number would we get?

Ans.Inverted Pyramid of Number .

3. Differentiate between Sere and Seral communities.

Ans.Sere :Entire sequence of communities that successively change in a

given area.Serial community :Individual transitional community .

4. Who are generally the pioneer species in a Xerarch succession and

in a Hyararch succession?

Ans.Pioneer species in Hydrarch succession are usually the small

phytoplanktons and that in Xerarch succession are usually lichens.

5. Which metabolic process causes a reduction in the Gross Primary

Productivity?

Ans.Respiration.
6. What percentage of photosyntheticallyactive radiation is captured
by plants?

Ans.2 – 10%

7. Name the pioners of primary succession in water.

Ans.Phytoplanktons

8.Name any two man – made ecosystem?

Ans.Aquarium & Garden.

9.Define stratification?

Ans.Stratification in an ecosystem refers to the vertical distribution of

different species occupying different levels.

10.Name the ecological pyramid that is always upright?

Ans.Pyramid of energy.

11.Name the trophic level occupied by secondary consumers &

tertiary consumers?

Ans.Third trophic level & fourth trophic level respectively

12.Define standing crop?

Ans.The amount of living matter or biomass present at every tropic level is

known as standing crop.

13.Name the ecological pyramid that is inverted in tree ecosystem?

Ans.Pyramid of Number.

14.What are the products of decomposition?

Ans. CO , H O & nutrients.

2 2

15.What is 10% law?

Ans.At each trophic level, 90% energy is degraded into heat & only 10% is
transferred to next trophic level this rule is called 10% law.

16.Mention one similarity between hydrach&Xerach secession?

Ans.Both hydrach&xerach leads to establishment of similar mesic

conditions.

17.What is the approximate value of net primary productivity of

biosphere?

Ans.170 billion tons.

18.Name two climatic factors that regulate decomposition?

Ans.Chemical composition of detritus & climatic factors.

19.What is sere?

Ans.The entire sequence of communities that successively change in a

given area resulting in climax community is called sere.

20.Name the primary consumers in aquatic ecosystem?

Ans.Zoo planktons.
21.Name the pioneer species in the primary succession on rock?

Ans.Lichens.
 Important Questions
Chapter 14
Ecosystem

2 Marks Questions

1. What is the shape of pyramid of biomass in sea? Why?

Ans. Inverted, because biomass of fishes far exceeds that of

phytoplankton.

2. Give an example of an ecological pyramid which is always upright.

Justify your Answer.

Ans.Pyramid of energy is always upright and can never be inverted,

because when energy flows from a trophic level to the next trophic level
some energy is always lost as heat at each step.

3. Differentiate between primary succession and secondary

succession. Which one occurs faster?

Ans. Primary Succession :Aprocess that starts where no living organisms

are there. Secondary succession :Aprocess that starts in areas which have
lost all the living organisms that existed there.

4. Gaseous nutrient cycle and sedimentary nutrient cycles have their

reservoir . Name them. Why is a reservoir necessary?

Ans.Reservoir for Gaseous nutrient cycle : Atmosphere; for sedimentary

nutrient cycle : Earth’s crust. Reservoir is needed to meet with the deficit
which occurs due to imbalance in the rate of influx and efflux.

5. Fill up the missing links depicted as A, B, C and D in the given

model of primary succession.
Ans. A = Submerged plant stage B = Reed Swamp Stage

C = Scrub stage D = Forest stage

6. In the model of phosphorus cycle given below , what does A, B, C

and D refer to?

Ans. A = Detritus B = Decomposition

C = Weathering D = Producers.

7. Differentiate between Hydrarch and a Xerarch succession.

Ans.HydrarchSuccession :Starts in water proceeds from hydric (aquatic) to

mesic (neither dry nor wet) situations. Xerarchsuccession :Starts on barren
rock Proceeds from Xeric (dry) conditons.

8. What is the effect on decomposition rate if :–

a) Detritus is rich in lignin and chitin

b) Detritus is rich is nitrogen and sugars

Ans. a) Decomposition rate is slower

b) Decomposition rate is faster.

9. What are the limitations of ecological pyramids?

Ans. (i) Does not take into account same species belonging to two or more
trophic levels.

(ii) Assumes simple food chain, does not accomodate food web.

(iii) Saprophytes have not been given any place in ecological pyramids.

10. Name any four ecosystem services. Who gave the price tags on
nature’s life support services? Which is the most important
ecosystem service provider?

Ans.

 Forest (ecosystem) purify water and air

 Mitigate Droughts and floods
 Nutrient cycling
 Generate fertile soil
 Provide habitat for wildlife
 Pollinate flower
 Maintain Biodiversity
 Provide aesthetic, cultural & spiritual values
 Robert Constanza gave price tags to ecosystem services.
 Most important ecosystem services provider : Soil formation.

11. Study the table given below and fill the blanks from ‘A’ to ‘F’.

Position of the Organism present in

S.N Component of the
o Ecosystem
trophic level the Food chain
1. E F
Fourth trophic level
2. Secondary Bird, fish, wolf.
D
consumer C
Second trophic level
3. B Phytoplankton,
A
4. Primary producer grass, tree.

Ans.A = First trophic level

B = Primary consumer

C = Zooplankton, Cow, Grass hopper

D = Third trophic level

E = Tertiary consumer

F = Man, Lion

12. In the pyramid of biomass drawn below , name the two crops (i)
one which is supported (ii) one which supports in which ecosystem is
such a phyramid found?

Ans. (i) Supported trophic level is founded by zooplanktons

(ii) Supporting trophic level is formed by phytoplanktons ecosystem It is

found in aquatic ecosystem.

13.Why is secondary sucession faster than primary sucession?

Ans.Secondary succession refers to community development on sites

previously occupied by welldeveloped communities where the environment
is both organic & inorganic. Since these bare areaspossesses suitable soil
for proper growth so, secondary successes is more rapid them
primarysuccession.

14.Distinguish between upright & inverted pyramids?

Ans.In upright pyramid the number of producers or its biome is maximum

in an ecosystem & it decreases progressively at each trophic level.
Whereas in inverted pyramid at producer level is minimum & is increasing
progressively at each trophic level in a food chain.
15.Explain with an example, why is the length of a food chain in an
ecosystem generally limited to 3-4 tropic level?

Ans.In a food chain at each trophic level about 90% of energy is degraded
into heat & only 10% energy is transferred to next tropic level thus of
trophic levels in the food chain the amount energy to be transferred to next
trophic level will be approximately negligible thus a food chain is generally
limited to 3-4 trophic levels.

16.What is meant by ecological succession? Describe the different

stages in which succession occurs?

Ans.Ecological succession is a community – controlled phenomenon in

which the structure &composition of community changes in an orderly &
sequential manner, leading ultimately toestablishment climax community.

STAGES OF SUCESSION :-

i) Invasion :- Invasion is the arrival of propagating organ e.g. seed spores

bulbils etc on a bare areaof primary or secondary succession. Those for
which conditions are favorable germinate is newarea& some of them grow
into mature plants. These new arrivals from outside are called pioneer.

ii) Establishment :- The process by which migrants adjust themselves in

new areas after migrationis called ecesis. It consists of three essential
processes – germination, growth & reproduction.

iii) Aggregation :- The coming together of individuals of various species in

an area are calledaggregation.

iv) Competition :- The species which have similar requirements of nutrition

are known ascompetitive species eg. those with different requirement are
complimentary species.

v)Reaction :- It is the change brought about by colonizers in the habitat.

The influence of vegetation on the site is called reaction till a stable
community develops in that area.

17.What is meant by ecological pyramid? With the help of one

example each, show that pyramid of number can be both upright as
well as inverted.
Ans.The graphic representation of the trophic structure of a food chain is
known as ecologicalpyramid. The ecological pyramid of number represents
the numerical representation betweendifferent trophic both upright or
inverted.

In upright pyramid of numbers, the more abundant species form the first
trophic level & forms thebase of pyramid & less abundant species remains
near the top e.g. Grass land ecosystem.

Green plants →→ Rabbit →→fox→→Lion

In inverted pyramid of number, the most abundant species occurs at the

top while the less abundantspecies forms the base eg. Tree ecosystem

Tree →→Birds →→Parasite

18.Describe the components of an ecosystem?

Ans.Ecosystem is a functional unit of nature consisting of biotic & abiotic

factors where the livingorganisms interact among themselves & with
physical environment. Ecosystem consists of twocomponents:-

i) ABIOTIC COMPONENTS :- e.g.

a) Inorganic substances phosphorus, sulphur, carbon, nitrogen hydrogen

tec.

b) Organic substances e.g. carbohydrates, proteins, lipids.

c) Climatic regime e.g. light, humidity, rainfall, temperature.

ii) BIOTIC COMPONENTS:

a) Producers :- The organisms which produce food for themselves & for all
living organism frominorganic raw material with the solar radiation are
called producers.

b) Consumers :- Those living heterotrophic members of ecosystem which

consume the foodsynthesized lay producers. They are broadly classified
as.

i) Primary consumers:- They are directly dependent on producers called

herbivores e.g. rat, deer,cow, goat,.

ii)Secondary consumers:- The organism that use primary consumers as

their food are calledcarnivores e.g. fox cats, lions.

iii)Tertiary consumers:- These are top carnivores which prey upon other
carnivores, & herbivores

e.g. crow, man.

c)Decomposers :- Organism that break up the dead bodies of plants

animals & the related wasteproducts are called decomposers e.g. bacteria,
Fungi etc.

19.“Energy flow in an ecosystem is always unidirectional justify the

statement.

Ans.Energy flow in an ecosystem is always unidirectional meAns that

energy is always trAnsferredfrom one trophic level to next trophic level & is
not reverted back – e.g. energy from sun is capturedby producers which
are then eaten by primary consumer & energy is trAnsferred to next tropic
level.

20.Differentiate between Production & decomposition?

Ans.Production refers to the process of synthesis of organic food materials

from inorganicsubstances such as CO2 H2O in the presence of sunlight
whereas decomposition is a process ofbreakdown of complex substances
into its constituents & it is brought about by bacteria, fungi etc.
21.Explain who pyramid of energy of an ecosystem is always uprights
never inverted?

Ans. The pyramid of energy represents total amount of energy utilized by

different trophic levelorganism in unit area. At each level, total energy
available is relatively more than at higher trophiclevel because of loss of
energy from one trophic level to other thus, pyramid of energy is always
straight.

22. i) Name the compound whose cycle is depicted.

ii) In what way do vehicles add this compound to atmosphere?

iii) What adverse effect does its excess have on the environment?

iv) Cite an event which depicts this effect in modern times.

v) Suggest two ways of depleting this effect.

Ans. i) Carbon cycle

ii) By burning of fossil fuel e.g. diesel or petroleum, they introduce CO2 in
the atmosphere

iii) Environmental pollution.

iv) Ozone layer depletion

v) a) By reducing use of fossil fuels

b) By planting more & more trees.

23.What do you mean by “productivity of an ecosystem? What are the
types of productivity also mention the factors on which productivity
of an ecosystem depends?

Ans.Productivity of an ecosystem is the rate at which solar radiations

energy is fixed by vegetationof an ecosystem per unit area & per unit time.
It is general expressed in terms of unit of energy (cal)produced in a unit
area (m2) per unit time (year).

Productivity can be of two types:-

1) Primary Productivity:- It is defined as the amount of biomass or organic

matter produced per unit area over a time period by plants during
photosynthesis primary productivity can further be of two types:-

a) Gross primary productivity :- It refers to the total amount of food formed

lay producers.

b) Net primary productivity:- It refers to gross production minus loss lay

respiration & decomposition NPP = GPP – respiration loss

2) Secondary Productivity :- The rate of storage at consumer level is

secondary productivity. It isthe rate of resynthesis of organic food by
consumers primary productivity depends on:-

i) a number of environmental factors

ii) availability of nutrients.

iii) photosynthetic capacity of plants.

24.What is decomposition – Describe thedifferent processes involved

in decomposition?

Ans.Decomposers e.g. bacteria, fungietc. helps in breakdown of complex

organic matter intoinorganic substances like CO2, water minerals & this
process is called decomposition. Dead plantremains e.g. leaves, bark
flowers & dead remain of animals including faecal matter constitutedetritus.
The important processes involved in decomposition or :-

i) Fragmentation :-Detritivores breaks down detritus into smaller particles.

ii) Leaching :- Water soluble inorganic nutrients go down into soil horizon &
get precipitated asunavailable salts lay process of leaching.
iii) Catabolism:- The enzymes of bacteria & fungi degrade detritus into
simple inorganicsubstances

iv) Humification :-Humification leads to accumulation of a dark colored

amorphous substancecalled humus that is highly resistant to microbial
action & undergoes decomposition at extremelyslower rate.

v) Mineralisation :- The humus is further degraded by some microbes &

release of inorganicnutrients occurs by the process of mineralization.

25.Why is productivity of coral reef maximum?

Ans.The productivity of coral reef is maximum because of availability of

good light, enough warm water and abundant nutrients.

26.In the pyramid of biomass, drawn below, name the two crops:-
i) one which is supported & the one which supports

ii) In which ecosystem is such a pyramid found.

Ans. i) In this ecosystems bird is supported & insect supports.

ii) Such type of pyramid is found in ecosystem of pond or tree.

27.Differentiate between primary productivity & secondary

productivity?

Ans.Primary productivity refers to productivity at trophic level i.e. food

energy formed by way of photosynthesis using solar energy whereas
secondary productivity refers to gross productivity minus losses by way of
respiration & decomposition.

28.What ecological principles are derived from the study of food

chains?

Ans. i) Each food chain is complete & self – containing

ii) All the food chains must always begin with photosynthesis & ends with
decay

iii) Shorter food chains are more efficient because the more steps it has,
greater the wastage ofenergy.

iv) The successive members of food chains are large in size but fewer in
number.

29.List the factors on which pioneer species depend during

secondary succession?

Ans.In secondary succession, the type of pioneer species depends on :-

i) Conditions of the soil

ii) Availability of water

iii) Environmental conditions

iv) Seeds or other propagules present.

30.The productivity of ecosystem increases from polar regions

towards tropics. Why?

Ans. The productivity of ecosystem increases from polar region towards

tropics because of the increasing sunlight & temperature.

31.Mention some of the ecological services provided by forests?

Ans.i) Forests purify air

ii) They mitigate droughts & floods.

iii) They help in cycling of nutrients.

iv) They provide habitat to number of wild life

v) They maintain biodiversity.

32.Differentiate between food chain & food web?

Ans.The unidirectional sequence of organisms in which energy flows in the

form of food from oneorganism to another through the process of eating &
being eaten is called food chain whereas thenetwork of interlinked food
chains are collectively known as food web.
 Important Questions
Chapter 14
Ecosystem

3 Marks Questions

1. With the help of a diagram, represent the energy flow through

different trophic level.

Ans.In an ecosystem, energy flows through different trophic level by food

chain. In consists of two steps:-

i) Trapping solar energy:- Primary source of energy is sun only 48% of

sun’s energy reaches the surfaceof earth & only a part of it is used lay
plants for photosynthesis. The chemical energy produced lay plantsis
stored in plant tissues. The photosynthetic organism uses a part of this
chemical energy & transfer therest to organism at next trophic level.

ii) Path & flow of energy:- The primary consumers therefore take chemical
potential energy in the form offood. Most of it dissipates as heat during
respiration & is lost out of ecosystem. The same process isrepeated at
secondary consumers, at each trophic level 90% energy is degraded into
heat& only 10% is thentransferred to next trophic level this rule of energy
flow is alled ten percent law.

2. What is pyramid of biomass? Represent the pyramid of biomass in

(i) grassland ecosystem
(ii)aquatic ecosystem.

Ans.The biomass means the total weight of fry matter pyramid of biomass
represents the weight of drymatter at different trophic levels of ecosystem
at one time in a food chain of food web.

i) Grassland ecosystem :- In grassland ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass

is upright i.e. pyramid ofbiomass shows gradual reduction in biomass at
each trophic level from base to apex.

Grass →→cow→→fox →→Lion

ii) In pond aquatic ecosystem, the biomass of consumers is always greater

than biomass of producers hence itoccurs as an inverted pyramid
5 Marks Questions

Download as PDF

CBSE Class 12 Biology

Important Questions
Chapter 14
Ecosystem

1.Represent schematically & describe the phosphorus cycle in an ecosystem?

Ans. The major reservoir of phosphorus is sedimentary rocks which are only available to
basic cycle insmall amounts as a result of weathering. These phosphorus are weathered &
later transported to thesoil by wind & water, where they exist as inorganic dissolved
phosphates.

The basic phosphorus cycle begins with dissolved phosphates which are absorbed by plants
for makingtheir own tissue plants are eaten by animals. Decay bacteria breakdown the tissue
of dead animalsdown these product & return phosphate to soil.

The water – soluble phosphates is lost to the deep rudiments of the ocean through run-off.
The major pathway of returning phosphorus to land is uplifting of marine sediments. Some
amount of phosphorus is returned to absorb inorganic phosphate, when they die, most of
absorbed phosphate is recycled back into ambient mater. This sort of cycling is called
biological cycle or metabolic cycle.

2.Represent schematically & describe carbon cycle in ecosystem?

Ans.The source of carbon is atmosphere & water. Carbon is present in atmosphere mainly in
the formof CO2CO2. It is vital to the production of carbohydrates through photosynthesis.
6CO2+ 12 H2O6CO2+ 12 H2O −→−−−−−chlorophyllh2 C6H12O6 +
6H2O + 6O2↑→chlorophyllh2 C6H12O6 + 6H2O + 6O2↑

In atmosphere, carbon is present in the form of CO2CO2 from the atmosphere it is

incorporated into tissuesof green plants e.g. carbohydrates, proteins & lipids.

The CO2CO2 dissolved in sea water is utilized lay marine animals like protozoans, corals,
mollusks etc fortheir life. In these animals, CO2CO2 is converted into calcium carbonate
which is used for construction ofshell.
Co2+H2O→H2CO3→HCO3→CaCO3+H+Co2+H2O→H2CO3→HCO3→CaCO
3+H+
After death of marine animals, CaCO3 store in shells is either deposited as sedimentary rock
or dissolvedin water to release CO2CO2. A certain proportion of carbon is deposited as coal
carbon from coal returns toair in the form of CO2CO2 through combustion & weathering
thus, carbon from atmospheric pool moves togreen plants, then to animals & finally to
bacteria fungi etc. to return it to atmosphere throughdecomposition-
 Value Based Questions

Ecosystem

1. The city government is planning to bring metro rail to your area. But this
will require around 10,000 trees to be cut. Do you think govt. should go
ahead with the project? Justify your answer?

2. You find that a lake in your neighboring area has been covered by Water
hyacinth. You have contacted your friends to remove this weed. Nobody
agrees to support you .How will you explain the necessity of this?

3. Now a days we see that people use CD’s and DVD’s for storing
information, movies and songs. Do you think these things create pollution?

4. Government of India has launched clean Ganga programme by the

name Ganga Action Plan. Do you want to be a part of it? How?

5. You have read the newspaper reports that lots of cows die because of
polythene bags getting entangled in their intestine. You go to market and
see vegetable vender selling vegetables in plastic bags. What will be your
suggestion to - (i) buyer and (ii) seller?

6. One of your friends Rakesh has gone to jungle safari with his family. On
returning from that safari he is sharing experiences with you and tells that
his father who is a businessman hunted a deer with his gun. What will you
tell your friend after knowing about their expedition?

7. Pankhuri watched a TV program based on life in polar region. She

observed that all the animals in polar region possess larger size and
smaller animals are not found in that region. She asked about this
surprising fact to her friends. Being her friend, how can you satisfy her
curiosity?

8. Ajay a notorious boy often involved in destruction of surrounding plants

and killing small animals. You are given a responsibility to make him
understand about importance of each and every organism present in world.
How can you explain him about it and which hypothesis you will use for it?

9. A well known personality killed a back buck during hunting in sacred

groves of Aravali Hills in Rajasthan. Local people caught him and lodged a
case in court against him. He argued that court that killing a human being is
a crime but killing a animal is not crime.

 Do you favor his argument? Why?

 What is the role of scared groves? Mention any two names of such
places other than Aravali Hills.

10. Anil and Sunil are partners and established a factory. After a few
months electrostatic precipitator became out of order. Sunil wanted to
replace it but Anil expressed the view that they have no effect of it on
productivity as well as income; therefore they should not waste money to
replace it.
(a) Out of these partners whom do you support and why?
(b) Suggest any two measures to stop such negligence.

11. A team of research workers observed that the population of fish eating
birds is declining every year after the establishment of a pesticide factory
nearby five years ago.
(a) What may be the possible reason in your opinion? Explain?
(b) Can you suggest alternative to pesticide so that factory may be
stopped.

12. A few months ago the people of Ramgarh started a bad practice of
disposing their waste in the pond of village which was earlier source of
drinking water. It resulted in deterioration of quality of water and fish
mortality.
(a) What changes do you think have taken place in pond? Name such
condition.
(b) What measure will you take to stop villagers for such practices as well
as to improve the condition?

Answers & Values

1. Yes. But the track of metro should be so changed that minimum no of

trees are cut. Track can be made underground and more trees can be
planted after the project is over.
Values

 Sensitivity towards environment

 Decision making.

2. Friends should be explained the process of natural ageing of a lake by

mineral enrichment of water. (eutrophication) which is harmful to aquatic
life .
Values

 Problem solving
 Critical thinking.
 Responsibility

3. Yes. Because all this material contain heavy metals and toxics
substances and known as e-wastes.
Values

 Concern about environment.

 Awareness.

4. Yes I will start awareness programmes like Nukkad Nataks, rallies and
slogans making to keep the river clean.
Values

 Innovation
 Service to society

5. I) Use cloth or jute bag to save environment and thus life of cow
II) Use paper bags, polythene are non biodegradable and toxic.
Values

 Sensitivity to words environment

 Concern.

6. It is unethical and leads to loss of biodiversity and result in imbalance in

Eco system.
Values

 Concern about animal.

 Empathy.

7. Because smaller animals have larger surface area relative their volume
so they lose body heat very fast when it is cold outside. They have to
expense lot of energy to generate body heat.
Values

 Critical thinking
 Awareness.

8. Explanation through “Rivet popper hypothesis.

Values
  Social responsibility
 Concerns about eco system.

9. A) No because each living organism has its own role in balanced eco
system.
b) Sacred groves are culturally protected area where large no of rare and
Threatened wild life is given total protection.
[Any other two sacred groves]
Values

 Awareness
 Responsibility.

10. A) I will support Sunil because his approach is eco friendly.

B) By imposing fine and punishment
Cancellation of registration of such industries

Values

 Decision making
 Concern about environment

11. A) Pesticide entering in food chain and resulting in biomagnifications

B) Bio controlling agent to remove pest
Values

 Problem solving
 Critical thinking.

12. A) Eutrophication – Brief explanation.

B) Any two means of spreading awareness of disposal of waste and
keeping the pond clean.
Values

 Service to society
 Concern about environment.
 CBSE Test Paper 01
Ch-14 Ecosystem

1. The metabolic process which causes a reduction in gross primary

production
a. digestion
b. excretion
c. respiration
d. transportation
2. Which of the following can be categorised as a photoautotroph?

a. Cuscuta
b. Euglena
c. Hydra
d. Rafflesia
3. An ecological succession on bare land proceeds towards

a. Increasing wetness
b. Increasing fossils
c. Increasing dryness
d. Decreasing wetness
4. Sparrow is

a. only 1∘1∘consumer
b. only 2∘2∘consumer
c. both 1∘1∘ consumer and 2∘2∘consumer
d. 3∘3∘consumer
5. The individual transitional communities are termed seral stages or

a. Seral species
b. Seral communities
c. Seral organisms
d. Climax organisms
6. What are decomposes? What is their function in the ecosystem?
7. No energy that is trapped into an organism remains in it forever.
(True/False)
8. Mention the role of pioneer species in primary succession on rocks.
9. List the four important changes, taking place during biotic
succession.
10. The temperate regions show a lower value of primary
productivity as compared to tropical regions. Give two reasons.
11. Distinguish between: Grazing food chain and detritus food
chain.
12. Distinguish between: Production and Decomposition
13. Describe the components of an ecosystem.
14. Describe the process of decomposition of detritus under the
following heads Fragmentation, Leaching, Catabolism, Humification
and Mineralization.
15. What is primary productivity? Give brief description of factors
that affect primary productivity.

CBSE Test Paper 01

Ch-14 Ecosystem

Answer

1.
c. respiration, Explanation: Net primary production is the rate at
which all the plants in an ecosystem produce net useful
chemical energy; it is equal to the difference between the rate
at which the plants in an ecosystem produce useful chemical
energy (GPP) and the rate at which they use some of that
energy during respiration.
So respiration is the metabolic process which causes a
reduction in gross primary production.
2.

b. Euglena, Explanation: Photoautotrophs are organism that

perform photosynthesis in presence of sunlight. Euglena
contains chlorophyll and fixes the solar energy so, it acts as
photoautotrophs.
3.

c. Increasing wetness, Explanation: An ecological succession on

bare land proceeds towards increasing wetness. Availability of
water help in faster growth of organism including plants.
4.

c. both 1∘1∘ consumer and 2∘2∘consumer, Explanation: Sparrow

feeds on fruits as well insects. Herbivores or plant eaters are
primary consumer and carnivores that feed on herbivores are
 secondary consumer. So, Sparrow occupy both primary and
secondary trophic levels.
5.

b. Seral communities, Explanation: A seral community or seral

stage is an intermediate stage found in ecological succession
in an ecosystem advancing towards its climax community. In
many cases more than one seral stage evolves until climax
conditions are attained.
A prisere is a collection of seres making up the development of
an area from non-vegetated surfaces to a climax community.
6. Decomposers are saprophagous / saprotrophs, which feed on dead
bodies of organisms and organic wastes of living organisms.
- They bring about decomposition and mineralisation of the dead
matter to release them back for reuse by the autotrophs.
7. True
8. In primary succession on rocks, the pioneer species invade a bare
area and give way for other species to grow.
9.

a. Small short lived plants (r-selection) to large long-lived plants

(k-selection)
b. Unstable biotic community to stable biotic community.
c. Little diversity to a high degree of diversity.
d. Aquatic or dry conditions to mesic conditions.
10.

a. It is severely limited by a cold climate.

b. Temperate regions have short snow-free growing period in a
year
11.

o Grazing food chain starts with green plants while detritus food
chain starts with dead organic matter.
o Organic matter is decomposed in detritus but not in grazing.
o Grazing web adds energy into the ecosystem.
o Detritus has sub soil organisms while grazing web has
macroscopic organisms.
o Grazing web helps in fixing inorganic nutrients. Detritus helps
in fixing the inorganic nutrients.
o Grazing begins with green plants at the producer level while
detritus begins with decomposers at the first trophic level.
o Solar energy is used in grazing web. Energy for detritus comes
from the remains of detritus.
 o Less fraction of energy flows through grazing web as compared
to detritus.
12.

Production Decomposition
It is the process of formation of fresh It is the process by which complex
1. biomass from inorganic matter by the organic material is broken down by the
producers (plants) using sunlight. decomposers.
2.Energy is trapped in this process. Energy is released in this process.
3.It requires sunlight. It does not require sunlight.
4.It is an anabolic process. It is a catabolic process.
5 Example: Plants Examples: Bacteria, Fungi

13. There are two components of the ecosystem:

a. Biotic : biotic factors are the factors in a

biome/ecosystem/habitat that include all living things. This can
later be broken down into producers, consumers decomposers,
and scavengers. Abiotic factors are the ones that are nonliving.
Biotic components are the living things that shape an
ecosystem. They are, any living component that affects another
organism. Such things include animals which consume the
organism in question and the living food that the organism
consumes.
b. Abiotic: Abiotic components are non-living chemical and
physical factors in the environment. Abiotic phenomena
underlie all of biology. Abiotic factors, while generally
downplayed, can have enormous impact on evolution.
From the viewpoint of biology, abiotic influences may be
classified as light or more generally radiation, temperature,
water the chemical surrounding composed of the terrestrial
atmospheric gases, as well as soil. The macroscopic climate
often influences each of the above. Not to mention pressure
and even sound waves if working with marine, or deep
underground biome.
2. Decomposition: It is a process in which decomposers break down
complex organic matter into inorganic substances like carbon
dioxide, water and nutrients and the process is called decomposition.
Dead plant remains such as leaves, bark flower and raw material of
animals, including fecal matter, constitute detritus, which is the raw
material for decomposition.
The important steps in the process of decomposition are
fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralization.
 a. Fragmentation: Detritivorus like earthworm breakdown
detritus into smaller particles. This process is called
fragmentation.
b. Leaching: By this process water soluble inorganic nutrients go
down into the soil horizon and get precipitated as unavailable
salts.
c. Catabolism: Bacterial and fungal enzymes degrade detritus
into simpler inorganic substances. This process is called as
catabolism.
d. Humification: It leads to accumulation of a dark coloured
amorphous substance called humus which is highly resistant to
microbial action and undergoes decomposition at an extremely
slow rate. Being colloidal in nature it serves as a reservoir of
nutrients.
e. Mineralization: The humus is further degraded by some
microbes and release of inorganic nutrients occur by the
process of mineralization.
3. Primary production is the amount of biomass or organic matter
produced per unit area over a time period by plants during
photosynthesis.
Factors: Primary productivity depends upon sunlight, temperature,
moisture, nutrients and photosynthetic efficiency of producers.

a. Sunlight: Maximum sunlight is available in tropics. There is a

progressive reduction of its availability towards the poles.
Therefore more photosynthesis and high productivity occurs in
tropics. It decreases progressively towards the poles.
b. Temperature: Temperate forests have lesser productivity as
compared to tropical forests due to cold climate during winter.
c. Nutrients: A regular availability of nutrients is required for
sustaining plant growth and productivity of an ecosystem.