Tag: organisms and environment

The products of ecosystem processes which have environmental aesthetic and indirect economic value are named as ecosystem services. Soil formation and soil protection are the major ecosystem services accounting for nearly 50% of their total worth. Plant cover protects the soil from drastic changes in temperature. There is little wind or water erosion as soil particles are not exposed to them. The soil remains spongy and fertile. There are no landslides and no floods. The plant cover of natural ecosystem absorbs polluting gases, causes settling of suspended particulate matter, removes CO2 and releases O2. Purified air becomes available. There is no overall depletion of nutrients as the same as repeatedly circulated and recirculated. This keeps the fertility of soil intact.

The temperature of the surface waters varies mainly with latitude. The polar seas (high latitude) can be as cold as -2 degrees Celsius (28.4 degrees Fahrenheit), while the Persian Gulf (low latitude) can be as warm as 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 degrees Fahrenheit).
Temperature varies in ponds and lakes seasonally. During the summer, the temperature can range from $4^0$C near the bottom to $22^0$C at the top. During the winter, the temperature at the bottom can be $4^0$C, while the top is $0^0$C (ice).

Sulphur and nitrogen are essential nutrients for the synthesis of proteins and other biological molecules required for growth in all living organisms. Other options like transpiration or photosynthesis are specific physiological processes that do not directly explain the fundamental need for these elements.

The thermosphere is too high for balloons and radiosondes, and satellites orbit within it, making direct temperature probes difficult due to the low density of air. Scientists instead infer the temperature by observing the drag effects on satellite orbits, which are directly influenced by the density and temperature of the thermosphere.

Ecological succession is the process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time. It is primarily initiated by climatic factors (like temperature and rainfall) and biotic factors (like the introduction of pioneer species or human activity).

An ecotype is a distinct population within a species that has adapted to specific local environmental conditions. These adaptations are genetically fixed, meaning they are inherited and persist even if the organism is moved to a different environment.

In ecology, the environment is divided into biotic factors (living components) and abiotic factors (non-living components). Abiotic factors include things like sunlight, temperature, water, and soil.

Mean annual temperature is calculated by subtracting the lowest recorded temperature from the highest recorded temperature of the of the day. It can vary depending on the weather and climate of an area.

Plants growing on the forest floor (understorey) are adapted to lower Sunlight intensity or are shade loving. This is because, the dense canopy does not allow enough light to penetrate through and reach the forest floor. Light is the limiting factor for these plants and therefore, they are adapted to survive under low light conditions. Moisture availability and related adaptations are not of consideration. Thus, the correct answer is option B.

 The Sun is the major source of energy for organisms and the ecosystems of which they are a part. Producers such as plants, algae, and cyanobacteria use the energy from sunlight to make organic matter from carbon dioxide and water. This establishes the beginning of energy flow through almost all food webs. The continual input of energy, mostly from sunlight, sustains the process of life. Sunlight allows plants, algae and cyanobacteria to use photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic compounds like carbohydrates. This process is the fundamental source of organic material in the biosphere. The overall productivity of an ecosystem is controlled by the total energy available.