12. The figure below shows the distribution of energy and biomass across primary

Question

12. The figure below shows the distribution of energy and biomass across primary producers, herbivores and carnivores in three ecosystems. Based on the information provided, answer the following questions: a, which ecosystem has greater ecological efficiency, forests or grasslands? b. what differences in biological traits)between the organisms in grasslands and forests account for your answer for part a? c. which ecosystem (s) show evidence of top-down control of primary producer biomass? Energy flow Biomass (calories/m2/day) (grams/m 2) (A) Forest (B) Grassland (C) Open ocean Trophic level secondary consumers Primary consumers Primary producers LIFE Be, Figure 55.3 LIFE THE SCIENCEOFBIOLOGY Eighth Edition o 2007 snauer Associates, Inc. and w H Freeman &Co.;

Explanation / Answer

a. Grasslands have higher ecological efficiency than forests because the quantum of energy transferred between different tropical levels is higher in grasslands than forests.

b. Grasslands have far greater number of primary consumers (herbivores) than forests, which allows higher transfer of energy from producer level to the (primary) consumer level. Similarly, the presence of higher number of herbivores allows a higher population of carnivores (secondary consumers) to thrive in grasslands. This again leads to a higher energy transfer between primary consumers and secondary consumers levels in grasslands than in forests.

c. Marine or Open ocean ecosystem shows evidence of top-down control of primary producer biomass. This is because the abundance or biomass of primary producers (algae and other phototrophs) depends on the population of primary consumers (small fishes or other herbivorous organisms) in oceans (this is also evidenced in the given figure). Similarly the abundance of primary producers depends on the population of secondary consumers (large fishes and sea animals) in the ocean (this however is not evidenced in the given figure; you may choose not to include this part).

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