UNIT-5
ASSIGNMENT -12
CHAPTER- ECOSYSTEM
1. Write a difference between net primary productivity and gross productivity.
2. State what ‘standing crop’ of a trophic level represents.
3. List any two ways of measuring the standing crop of a trophic level.
4. Differentiate between standing state and standing crop in an ecosystem.
5. What is a detritus food chain made up of? How do they meet their energy and
nutritional requirements?
6. Mention the role of pioneer species in primary succession of rocks.
7. “Man can be a primary as well as a secondary consumer.’ Justify this statement.
8. Why earthworm is called a detritovore?
9. Justify the role of decomposers in an ecosystem.
10. Differentiate between two types of pyramids of biomass with the help of one example
of each.
11. Explain with the help of two examples, how the pyramid of number and the pyramid
of biomass can look inverted.
12. How does primary succession start in water and lead to the climax community?
Explain.
13. Explain the function of reservoir in a nutrient cycle. List the two types of nutrient
cycles in nature.
14. Draw a pyramid of biomass and pyramid of energy in sea. Give your comments on the
type of pyramids drawn.
15. Explain why a progressive decline is seen in population size from the first to fourth
trophic level in the food chain.
16. Describe primary succession that occurs on bare rock.
17. Differentiate between xerarch and hydrarch succession.
18. Differentiate between primary and secondary succession. Provide one example of
each.
19. Name the type of detritus that decomposes faster. List any two factors that enhance
the rate of decomposition.
20. Write the steps taken in humification and mineralization during the process of
decomposition.
21. A) State any two differences between phosphorous and carbon cycles in nature.
B) Write the importance of phosphorous in living organisms.
22. Describe the effects of human activities in influencing natural ecosystem cycles with
special reference to carbon cycle.
23. a) Explain the role of the first trophic level in an ecosystem.
b) How is the detritus food chain connected with the grazing food chain in a natural
ecosystem?
24. Draw a simplified model of phosphorous cycle in terrestrial ecosystem.
