ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY:
CONCEPT AND APPROACHES
Environmental geography is a branch of geography
that focuses on studying the interactions between human activities and the
natural environment. It aims to understand how the environment shapes human
activities and how human activities, in turn, impact the environment.
Environmental geography is concerned with the spatial patterns of various
environmental phenomena, including ecosystems, climate, landforms, and
resources.
Approaches in environmental geography include:
1. Physical Geography Approach: This approach
emphasizes the physical aspects of the environment, such as landforms, climate,
vegetation, and ecosystems. It explores how natural processes shape the
landscape and how humans adapt to or modify these processes.
2. Human Geography Approach: This approach focuses
on the relationship between human societies and their environment. It studies
how people perceive, use, and transform the environment, considering factors
like population growth, urbanization, and resource consumption.
3. Cultural Ecology: Cultural ecology examines how
cultures interact with their environments, influencing their practices and
lifestyles. It explores how traditional knowledge, beliefs, and practices shape
resource use and management.
4. Political Ecology: This approach analyzes the
political and economic factors that drive environmental change. It explores
issues like resource distribution, power dynamics, and environmental justice.
5. Ecosystem Analysis: This approach studies the
interactions among various components of ecosystems, including biotic (living)
and abiotic (non-living) factors. It examines how ecosystems function and how
disturbances impact their equilibrium.
6. Landscape Ecology: Landscape ecology studies the
spatial patterns and relationships between different ecosystems and landscapes.
It focuses on the movement of organisms, energy flow, and material cycles
across different habitats.
7. Environmental Perception and Behavior: This
approach investigates how people perceive and interact with their environment.
It explores factors influencing environmental attitudes, behaviors, and
decision-making.
8. Geographical Information Systems (GIS): GIS
technology is used to analyze and visualize spatial data related to the
environment. It helps in mapping and modeling various environmental processes,
aiding decision-making and resource management.
9. Sustainability and Conservation: This approach
seeks to balance human needs with environmental preservation. It addresses
issues like sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and natural
resource management.
10. Global Environmental Change: This approach
focuses on understanding and addressing global-scale environmental challenges,
such as climate change, deforestation, and pollution. It often involves
interdisciplinary collaboration.
Sure, here are multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
along with their answers on environmental geography concepts and approaches:
1. What does environmental geography study?
a) Human history
b) Celestial bodies
c) Interactions between humans and the
environment
d) Ancient civilizations
Answer: c) Interactions between humans
and the environment
2. Which approach emphasizes the physical aspects
of the environment?
a) Political ecology
b) Human geography
c) Physical geography
d) Cultural ecology
Answer: c) Physical geography
3. Which approach explores how cultures interact
with their environments?
a) Ecosystem analysis
b) Political ecology
c) Cultural ecology
d) Human geography
Answer: c) Cultural ecology
4. What does political ecology focus on?
a) Political landscapes
b) Environmental conservation
c) Power dynamics and environmental
change
d) Cultural practices
Answer: c) Power dynamics and
environmental change
5. Which component does landscape ecology study?
a) Economic factors
b) Interactions among ecosystems
c) Human population growth
d) Political boundaries
Answer: b) Interactions among
ecosystems
6. GIS technology is used for:
a) Studying human history
b) Analyzing spatial data related to
the environment
c) Exploring celestial bodies
d) Understanding ancient civilizations
Answer: b) Analyzing spatial data
related to the environment
7. What is the focus of the sustainability and
conservation approach?
a) Ancient history
b) Sustainable development and
resource management
c) Celestial events
d) Political landscapes
Answer: b) Sustainable development and
resource management
8. What does the human geography approach study?
a) Interactions between humans and the
environment
b) Physical landscapes
c) Ecosystem dynamics
d) Cultural practices
Answer: a) Interactions between humans
and the environment
9. Which approach examines the movement of
organisms, energy flow, and material cycles?
a) Ecosystem analysis
b) Political ecology
c) Cultural ecology
d) Landscape ecology
Answer: d) Landscape ecology
10. Environmental perception and behavior studies:
a) Climate patterns
b) Economic factors
c) How people interact with the
environment
d) Political boundaries
Answer: c) How people interact with
the environment
11. What does environmental geography primarily
study?
a) Human societies and cultures
b) Political systems
c) Interactions between humans and the
environment
d) Celestial bodies
Answer: c) Interactions between humans
and the environment
12. Which of the following is an example of a
natural resource?
a) Smartphone
b) Forest
c) Laptop
d) Car
Answer: b) Forest
13. What is the term for the layer of gases
surrounding the Earth that supports life?
a) Atmosphere
b) Lithosphere
c) Hydrosphere
d) Biosphere
Answer: a) Atmosphere
14. Which of the following is an abiotic component
of an ecosystem?
a) Plants
b) Animals
c) Soil
d) Bacteria
Answer: c) Soil
15. The study of climate, weather patterns, and
their impact on the environment falls under which subfield of environmental
geography?
a) Geomorphology
b) Climatology
c) Cultural ecology
d) Urban geography
Answer: b) Climatology
16. Which environmental issue relates to the
depletion of the ozone layer in the Earth's atmosphere?
a) Global warming
b) Deforestation
c) Acid rain
d) Ozone depletion
Answer: d) Ozone depletion
17. Which approach in environmental geography
focuses on the political and economic factors influencing environmental change?
a) Physical geography
b) Human geography
c) Political ecology
d) Cultural ecology
Answer: c) Political ecology
18. The term "biodiversity" refers to:
a) A uniform ecosystem
b) The variety of living organisms in
an area
c) The absence of plant life in an
environment
d) The rate of population growth
Answer: b) The variety of living
organisms in an area
19. What is the term for the study of landforms and
their evolution over time?
a) Biogeography
b) Geomorphology
c) Hydrology
d) Meteorology
Answer: b) Geomorphology
20. Which gas is primarily responsible for the
greenhouse effect and global warming?
a) Oxygen
b) Nitrogen
c) Carbon dioxide
d) Hydrogen
Answer: c) Carbon dioxide
21. The process by which water evaporates from the
Earth's surface, forms clouds, and falls back to the surface as precipitation
is known as:
a) Condensation
b) Sublimation
c) Transpiration
d) Hydrologic cycle
Answer: d) Hydrologic cycle
22. What does the term "deforestation"
refer to?
a) Planting new forests
b) Removing invasive species
c) Loss of forest cover through human
activities
d) Promoting sustainable logging
practices
Answer: c) Loss of forest cover
through human activities
23. The study of the distribution of plants and
animals across different geographic regions is called:
a) Climatology
b) Hydrology
c) Biogeography
d) Ecology
Answer: c) Biogeography
24. Which environmental issue is associated with
the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers and runoff into water bodies?
a) Desertification
b) Acid rain
c) Eutrophication
d) Ozone depletion
Answer: c) Eutrophication
25. What is the term for the gradual increase in
the Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities?
a) Ozone depletion
b) Desertification
c) Global warming
d) Erosion
Answer: c) Global warming
26. The concept of "carrying capacity" in
environmental geography refers to:
a) The number of vehicles in a city
b) The maximum population an area can
sustainably support
c) The capacity of vehicles to
transport goods
d) The amount of pollution a region
can handle
Answer: b) The maximum population an
area can sustainably support
27. Which term refers to the gradual wearing away
of land and soil by natural forces such as water, wind, and ice?
a) Erosion
b) Desertification
c) Deforestation
d) Urbanization
Answer: a) Erosion
28. The loss of productive farmland due to factors
like soil erosion, salinization, and water depletion is known as:
a) Desertification
b) Urbanization
c) Afforestation
d) Deforestation
Answer: a) Desertification
29. Which environmental approach seeks to find a
balance between human needs and the preservation of natural resources?
a) Sustainable development
b) Landscape ecology
c) Cultural ecology
d) Political ecology
Answer: a) Sustainable development
30. The concept of "environmental
justice" addresses:
a) Legal issues related to the
environment
b) Fair distribution of natural
resources
c) Cultural practices of indigenous
communities
d) Economic factors impacting
ecosystems
Answer: b) Fair distribution of
natural resources
ECOSYSTEM CONCEPT AND STRUCTURE.
An ecosystem is a complex and dynamic community of
living organisms (biotic components) interacting with their non-living
environment (abiotic components) in a specific area. It encompasses all the
relationships and interactions among organisms and their physical surroundings.
Ecosystems vary in size and can be as small as a pond or as large as a forest.
Components of an Ecosystem:
1. Biotic Components: These are the living
organisms within an ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, and
microorganisms. Biotic components interact with each other for resources such
as food, shelter, and mates.
2. Abiotic Components: These are the non-living
factors that influence the ecosystem. Abiotic components include physical
factors like temperature, humidity, sunlight, soil composition, water
availability, and geological features.
Structure of an Ecosystem:
Ecosystems have a hierarchical structure that helps
us understand the different levels of organization within them:
1. Individual Organism: This is the basic unit of
any ecosystem and refers to a single living entity such as a plant, animal, or
microorganism.
2. Population: A population consists of individuals
of the same species living in a specific area. Interactions among individuals
of the same species are important for various ecological processes, such as
reproduction and competition.
3. Community: A community comprises all the
populations of different species living together in a defined area.
Interactions between different species, such as predation, competition, and
mutualism, shape the structure and dynamics of the community.
4. Ecosystem: An ecosystem encompasses the entire
biological community (the biotic components) along with the physical
environment (the abiotic components) in a specific area. It includes the flow
of energy and cycling of matter among organisms and their surroundings.
5. Biome: A biome is a large geographical area
characterized by a specific climate and dominant plant and animal species. It
encompasses multiple ecosystems that share similar climatic conditions.
6. Biosphere: The biosphere is the global sum of
all ecosystems on Earth. It includes all living organisms and their
interactions with the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.
Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling:
Energy flows through ecosystems in a unidirectional
manner, while nutrients cycle within them:
- Energy Flow: Energy enters ecosystems primarily
through sunlight. Producers (plants) capture sunlight and convert it into
chemical energy through photosynthesis. This energy then flows through the
ecosystem as consumers (animals) feed on producers or other consumers. Energy
is eventually lost as heat during these processes.
- Nutrient Cycling: Nutrients, such as carbon,
nitrogen, and phosphorus, are cycled through ecosystems. Decomposers
(microorganisms) break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients back into
the soil. These nutrients are taken up by plants and incorporated into the food
chain. Consumers obtain nutrients by consuming other organisms.
Understanding the concept and structure of
ecosystems is essential for comprehending ecological interactions, the
distribution of species, and the functioning of the Earth's ecosystems as a
whole.
Absolutely, here are multiple-choice questions
(MCQs) along with their answers on ecosystem concept and structure:
1. What is an ecosystem?
a) A single organism
b) A community of people
c) A dynamic interaction between
living organisms and their environment
d) A type of geological feature
Answer: c) A dynamic interaction
between living organisms and their environment
2. Which of the following is an abiotic component
of an ecosystem?
a) Animals
b) Plants
c) Soil
d) Bacteria
Answer: c) Soil
3. What is the primary source of energy in most
ecosystems?
a) Heat
b) Wind
c) Sunlight
d) Fossil fuels
Answer: c) Sunlight
4. Which level of ecological organization includes
all populations living in a specific area?
a) Individual organism
b) Community
c) Ecosystem
d) Biosphere
Answer: b) Community
5. The flow of energy in an ecosystem is:
a) Bidirectional
b) Unidirectional
c) Random
d) Circular
Answer: b) Unidirectional
6. What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
a) They capture sunlight for energy.
b) They convert carbon dioxide to
oxygen.
c) They break down dead organic matter
and recycle nutrients.
d) They provide energy for primary
producers.
Answer: c) They break down dead
organic matter and recycle nutrients.
7. Which level of ecological organization includes
multiple ecosystems with similar climatic conditions?
a) Population
b) Biome
c) Individual organism
d) Community
Answer: b) Biome
8. What term refers to the largest level of
ecological organization that encompasses all ecosystems on Earth?
a) Biome
b) Community
c) Biosphere
d) Population
Answer: c) Biosphere
9. Which organisms are also known as primary
producers in an ecosystem?
a) Consumers
b) Decomposers
c) Plants
d) Carnivores
Answer: c) Plants
10. What is the main source of nutrients in an
ecosystem?
a) Sunlight
b) Wind
c) Rainwater
d) Decomposed organic matter
Answer: d) Decomposed organic matter
11. Which term describes the interactions among
individuals of the same species in a specific area?
a) Community
b) Ecosystem
c) Population
d) Biosphere
Answer: c) Population
12. What is the purpose of nutrient cycling in
ecosystems?
a) To create energy
b) To regulate temperature
c) To recycle nutrients for reuse by
living organisms
d) To convert sunlight into chemical
energy
Answer: c) To recycle nutrients for
reuse by living organisms
13. Which component of an ecosystem includes the
physical factors like temperature, sunlight, and soil composition?
a) Biotic components
b) Abiotic components
c) Consumers
d) Decomposers
Answer: b) Abiotic components
14. In which level of ecological organization do
interactions occur between different species?
a) Individual organism
b) Community
c) Population
d) Biome
Answer: b) Community
15. The process by which energy flows from
producers to consumers and eventually dissipates as heat is known as:
a) Nutrient cycling
b) Biodiversity
c) Energy transformation
d) Energy flow
Answer: d) Energy flow
16. What do producers use to convert sunlight into
chemical energy through photosynthesis?
a) Water
b) Oxygen
c) Carbon dioxide
d) Chlorophyll
Answer: d) Chlorophyll
17. Which organisms play a crucial role in breaking
down complex organic compounds into simpler forms in an ecosystem?
a) Consumers
b) Decomposers
c) Producers
d) Primary consumers
Answer: b) Decomposers
18. What term refers to the maximum population size
that an ecosystem can sustainably support?
a) Carrying capacity
b) Biome capacity
c) Population density
d) Primary productivity
Answer: a) Carrying capacity
19. What is the function of consumers in an
ecosystem?
a) To produce energy
b) To decompose organic matter
c) To regulate temperature
d) To obtain energy by consuming
other organisms
Answer: d) To obtain energy by
consuming other organisms
20. The hierarchical organization of ecosystems
includes all of the following levels except:
a) Individual organism
b) Population
c) Biomass
d) Community
Answer: c) Biomass
21. The process by which plants release water vapor
into the atmosphere is known as:
a) Transpiration
b) Photosynthesis
c) Respiration
d) Decomposition
Answer: a) Transpiration
22. What role do carnivores play in an ecosystem?
a) They provide energy for primary
producers.
b) They break down dead organic
matter.
c) They regulate temperature.
d) They consume other animals.
Answer: d) They consume other
animals.
23. Which term refers to the specific role or
position an organism occupies within an ecosystem?
a) Habitat
b) Niche
c) Territory
d) Population
Answer: b) Niche
24. What is the primary role of primary consumers
in an ecosystem?
a) Decomposition
b) Consuming producers
c) Providing energy to carnivores
d) Regulating nutrient cycling
Answer: b) Consuming producers
25. Which of the following is a biotic factor in an
ecosystem?
a) Temperature
b) Soil composition
c) Sunlight
d) Herbivores
Answer: d) Herbivores
26. Which process involves the conversion of
nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into forms that plants can use?
a) Transpiration
b) Photosynthesis
c) Nitrogen fixation
d) Decomposition
Answer: c) Nitrogen fixation
27. What is the term for the total mass of living
organisms within an ecosystem?
a) Biomass
b) Carrying capacity
c) Niche
d) Habitat
Answer: a) Biomass
28. The process by which carbon dioxide is released
into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels is called:
a) Nitrogen fixation
b) Photosynthesis
c) Combustion
d) Respiration
Answer: c) Combustion
29. How do decomposers contribute to nutrient
cycling?
a) By producing oxygen
b) By releasing heat
c) By breaking down dead organic
matter and releasing nutrients
d) By converting sunlight into energy
Answer: c) By breaking down dead
organic matter and releasing nutrients
30. Which term describes the place where an
organism lives and carries out its life activities?
a) Niche
b) Ecosystem
c) Habitat
d) Community
Answer: c) Habitat
ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION
Ecosystem function refers to the dynamic processes
and interactions that occur within an ecosystem, allowing it to perform
essential roles such as energy flow, nutrient cycling, and maintenance of
ecological balance. These functions are crucial for the survival of both the
biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components within the ecosystem. Let's
delve into the key ecosystem functions:
1. Energy Flow: Ecosystems are powered by the flow
of energy. Energy enters ecosystems through sunlight, which is captured by
producers (plants) during photosynthesis. This energy is transferred through
the food chain as consumers (animals) feed on other organisms. Each transfer of
energy involves energy loss in the form of heat, which ultimately dissipates
from the ecosystem. The energy flow supports various activities, growth, and
reproduction of organisms.
2. Nutrient Cycling: Nutrients like carbon,
nitrogen, phosphorus, and minerals are essential for the growth and functioning
of organisms. Nutrient cycling involves the continuous movement of these
elements between living organisms, soil, water, and the atmosphere. Decomposers
play a critical role by breaking down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients
back into the soil. Producers then take up these nutrients, and the cycle
continues as consumers consume producers.
3. Primary Production: Primary production is the
process by which producers (mainly plants) convert sunlight, water, and carbon
dioxide into organic matter through photosynthesis. This organic matter serves
as the foundation of the food chain, providing energy for all other organisms
within the ecosystem. Primary production also contributes to the storage of
carbon in ecosystems, helping to regulate the Earth's carbon cycle.
4. Decomposition: Decomposers, such as bacteria and
fungi, break down dead organic matter and waste products. This process releases
nutrients back into the ecosystem, making them available for uptake by plants
and other organisms. Decomposition also contributes to the recycling of energy,
allowing nutrients to cycle through the ecosystem continuously.
5. Pollination and Seed Dispersal: Many ecosystems
rely on interactions between plants and animals for pollination and seed
dispersal. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds transfer pollen
between flowers, facilitating plant reproduction. Seed dispersers help plants
spread their seeds to new areas, enhancing genetic diversity and contributing
to the regeneration of ecosystems.
6. Regulation of Population Dynamics: Predators and
herbivores play a vital role in regulating the population sizes of other
species within an ecosystem. By controlling the abundance of certain species,
they prevent overgrazing, maintain biodiversity, and promote ecosystem stability.
7. Water and Nutrient Regulation: Ecosystems
contribute to regulating the movement and distribution of water and nutrients.
Vegetation helps prevent soil erosion by stabilizing the soil with roots and
absorbing excess water during heavy rainfall. Wetlands and forests act as
natural filters, purifying water by removing pollutants and nutrients.
8. Climate Regulation: Ecosystems can influence
local and global climate patterns. Forests, for example, absorb carbon dioxide
and release oxygen during photosynthesis, contributing to climate regulation.
They also influence temperature and humidity levels through transpiration and
shade provision.
9. Biodiversity Maintenance: Ecosystems with higher
biodiversity tend to be more resilient and adaptable to environmental changes.
Biodiversity ensures that various species can fulfill specific ecological
roles, promoting stability and reducing the risk of ecological disruptions.
10. Erosion Control: Vegetation, especially in
ecosystems like forests and grasslands, helps prevent soil erosion by providing
a protective layer that reduces the impact of rainfall and wind.
Certainly, here are multiple-choice questions
(MCQs) along with their answers on ecosystem functions:
1. Ecosystem function refers to the dynamic
processes that occur within an ecosystem, including:
a) Inanimate objects only
b) Abiotic components only
c) Biotic components only
d) Both biotic and abiotic components
Answer: d) Both biotic and abiotic
components
2. What is the primary source of energy that drives
ecosystem functions?
a) Wind
b) Soil
c) Sunlight
d) Water
Answer: c) Sunlight
3. Nutrient cycling involves the movement of
essential elements like carbon and nitrogen:
a) Within living organisms only
b) From the atmosphere to the
lithosphere
c) Between living organisms, soil,
water, and the atmosphere
d) From the biosphere to the geosphere
Answer: c) Between living organisms,
soil, water, and the atmosphere
4. Primary production in ecosystems refers to the
process of:
a) Decomposing organic matter
b) Breaking down complex molecules
c) Converting sunlight into energy
d) Producing organic matter through
photosynthesis
Answer: d) Producing organic matter
through photosynthesis
5. Which organisms play a key role in breaking down
dead organic matter?
a) Producers
b) Consumers
c) Decomposers
d) Predators
Answer: c) Decomposers
6. Pollinators like bees and butterflies contribute
to ecosystems by:
a) Decomposing organic matter
b) Spreading diseases
c) Regulating population dynamics
d) Facilitating plant reproduction
Answer: d) Facilitating plant
reproduction
7. The regulation of population sizes of different
species within an ecosystem is often influenced by:
a) Human intervention only
b) Abiotic factors only
c) Biotic factors only
d) Predators and herbivores
Answer: d) Predators and herbivores
8. Wetlands and forests contribute to ecosystem
function by:
a) Increasing soil erosion
b) Reducing soil fertility
c) Acting as natural filters and
purifying water
d) Increasing pollutant levels
Answer: c) Acting as natural filters
and purifying water
9. Climate regulation by ecosystems is mainly
achieved through:
a) Increasing greenhouse gas emissions
b) Storing excess heat
c) Absorbing carbon dioxide and
releasing oxygen
d) Decreasing temperature fluctuations
Answer: c) Absorbing carbon dioxide
and releasing oxygen
10. Biodiversity maintenance in ecosystems helps:
a) Reduce ecosystem stability
b) Promote ecological disruptions
c) Increase vulnerability to
environmental changes
d) Enhance resilience and stability
Answer: d) Enhance resilience and
stability
11. Ecosystems contribute to water regulation by:
a) Increasing soil erosion
b) Accelerating water runoff
c) Absorbing excess water and
stabilizing soil
d) Reducing the need for irrigation
Answer: c) Absorbing excess water and
stabilizing soil
12. What is the primary role of producers in an
ecosystem?
a) Breaking down organic matter
b) Regulating temperature
c) Providing energy for consumers
d) Decomposing waste
Answer: c) Providing energy for
consumers
13. Which process involves the continuous movement
of essential elements between living organisms and their environment?
a) Energy flow
b) Photosynthesis
c) Nutrient cycling
d) Decomposition
Answer: c) Nutrient cycling
14. The process of converting sunlight, water, and
carbon dioxide into organic matter is known as:
a) Decomposition
b) Primary production
c) Nutrient cycling
d) Pollination
Answer: b) Primary production
15. Which organisms help control population sizes
and maintain biodiversity in ecosystems?
a) Decomposers
b) Producers
c) Consumers
d) Predators and herbivores
Answer: d) Predators and herbivores
16. What role do decomposers play in nutrient
cycling?
a) They provide energy for producers
b) They release excess nutrients into
the atmosphere
c) They break down dead organic
matter and release nutrients
d) They convert nutrients into energy
Answer: c) They break down dead
organic matter and release nutrients
17. The term "carbon cycle" refers to the
movement of:
a) Energy through ecosystems
b) Nutrients within living organisms
c) Carbon atoms between living and
non-living components
d) Water between various ecosystem
compartments
Answer: c) Carbon atoms between
living and non-living components
18. What is the purpose of pollination in
ecosystems?
a) To provide food for producers
b) To regulate population sizes
c) To spread diseases
d) To facilitate plant reproduction
Answer: d) To facilitate plant
reproduction
19. Ecosystems with higher __________ tend to be
more resilient and adaptable to environmental changes.
a) Primary production
b) Biomass
c) Biodiversity
d) Abiotic components
Answer: c) Biodiversity
20. Which of the following processes involves the
conversion of complex organic molecules into simpler forms by decomposers?
a) Primary production
b) Nutrient cycling
c) Photosynthesis
d) Combustion
Answer: b) Nutrient cycling
21. The role of decomposers in an ecosystem is most
closely associated with:
a) Providing energy to producers
b) Regulating population dynamics
c) Breaking down dead organic matter
and recycling nutrients
d) Facilitating pollination
Answer: c) Breaking down dead organic
matter and recycling nutrients
22. The main function of wetlands in an ecosystem
is to:
a) Increase soil erosion
b) Store excess water
c) Act as natural filters and purify
water
d) Promote greenhouse gas emissions
Answer: c) Act as natural filters and
purify water
23. Ecosystems with a high degree of ________ have
a greater variety of ecological roles, contributing to ecosystem stability.
a) Biomass
b) Nutrient cycling
c) Biodiversity
d) Climate regulation
Answer: c) Biodiversity
24. Pollinators help plants reproduce by:
a) Breaking down dead organic matter
b) Decomposing waste
c) Spreading diseases
d) Transferring pollen between
flowers
Answer: d) Transferring pollen
between flowers
25. The process by which energy enters ecosystems
through sunlight and flows through the food chain is:
a) Nutrient cycling
b) Decomposition
c) Carbon cycling
d) Energy flow
Answer: d) Energy flow
26. Which of the following contributes to the
regulation of local and global climate patterns?
a) Combustion of fossil fuels
b) Ecosystems releasing excess heat
c) Absorption of carbon dioxide by
producers
d) Accelerated water runoff
Answer: c) Absorption of carbon
dioxide by producers
27. What is the term for the maximum population
size an ecosystem can support?
a) Carrying capacity
b) Biomass
c) Nutrient cycling
d) Erosion capacity
Answer: a) Carrying capacity
28. The process by which carbon dioxide is returned
to the atmosphere through activities like burning fossil fuels is called:
a) Decomposition
b) Nutrient cycling
c) Transpiration
d) Combustion
Answer: d) Combustion
29. Which ecosystem function involves the movement
of water from the ground into the atmosphere through plants?
a) Transpiration
b) Nutrient cycling
c) Primary production
d) Decomposition
Answer: a) Transpiration
30. Biotic and abiotic components interact in
ecosystems to perform essential functions that sustain life, maintain
ecological balance, and support the _______ of diverse species.
a) Erosion
b) Extinction
c) Biodiversity
d) Deforestation
Answer: c) Biodiversity
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