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The Contribution of Supporting Services to Nutrient Cycling

Description: This quiz will test your understanding of the contribution of supporting services to nutrient cycling. Nutrient cycling is a fundamental process in ecosystems that involves the movement of nutrients between the biotic and abiotic components. Supporting services play a crucial role in facilitating nutrient cycling by providing the necessary conditions for nutrient transformations and transport.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: nutrient cycling supporting services ecosystem services environmental science ecology
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Which of the following is NOT a supporting service that contributes to nutrient cycling?

  1. Soil formation

  2. Water cycling

  3. Pollination

  4. Decomposition


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Pollination is a process that facilitates the transfer of pollen from the male anther to the female stigma of a flower, leading to fertilization and seed production. While pollination is an important ecological process, it is not directly involved in nutrient cycling.

How does soil formation contribute to nutrient cycling?

  1. By providing a physical structure for plants to anchor and grow

  2. By releasing nutrients from weathered rocks and minerals

  3. By facilitating the decomposition of organic matter

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Soil formation involves the physical and chemical breakdown of rocks and minerals, releasing nutrients that can be taken up by plants. It also provides a physical structure for plants to anchor and grow, and facilitates the decomposition of organic matter, further contributing to nutrient cycling.

Which of the following is NOT a key process involved in nutrient cycling?

  1. Nitrogen fixation

  2. Nitrification

  3. Denitrification

  4. Photosynthesis


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. While photosynthesis is essential for plant growth and the production of organic matter, it is not directly involved in nutrient cycling.

How do decomposers contribute to nutrient cycling?

  1. By breaking down dead plant and animal matter

  2. By releasing nutrients back into the soil or atmosphere

  3. By creating new organic matter

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, play a crucial role in nutrient cycling by breaking down dead plant and animal matter, releasing nutrients back into the soil or atmosphere. They also contribute to the formation of new organic matter through their metabolic processes.

Which of the following is NOT a supporting service that contributes to water cycling?

  1. Evapotranspiration

  2. Condensation

  3. Decomposition

  4. Precipitation


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Decomposition is the process by which organic matter is broken down by decomposers, releasing nutrients back into the soil or atmosphere. While decomposition is an important ecological process, it is not directly involved in water cycling.

How does water cycling contribute to nutrient cycling?

  1. By transporting nutrients from one part of the ecosystem to another

  2. By facilitating the decomposition of organic matter

  3. By providing a medium for nutrient uptake by plants

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Water cycling plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling by transporting nutrients from one part of the ecosystem to another, facilitating the decomposition of organic matter, and providing a medium for nutrient uptake by plants.

Which of the following is NOT a type of nutrient cycle?

  1. Carbon cycle

  2. Nitrogen cycle

  3. Water cycle

  4. Phosphorus cycle


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The water cycle is the process by which water moves through the Earth and atmosphere. While water is essential for life and many ecological processes, it is not considered a nutrient cycle in the same way that the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles are.

How do human activities impact nutrient cycling?

  1. By altering land use patterns

  2. By using fertilizers and pesticides

  3. By releasing pollutants into the environment

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Human activities can impact nutrient cycling in various ways, including altering land use patterns, using fertilizers and pesticides, and releasing pollutants into the environment. These activities can disrupt the natural balance of nutrient cycling, leading to negative consequences for ecosystems.

Which of the following is an example of a supporting service that contributes to nutrient cycling in agricultural ecosystems?

  1. Crop rotation

  2. Irrigation

  3. Fertilization

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Crop rotation, irrigation, and fertilization are all examples of supporting services that contribute to nutrient cycling in agricultural ecosystems. Crop rotation helps to maintain soil fertility and prevent nutrient depletion, irrigation provides water for nutrient uptake by plants, and fertilization adds nutrients to the soil.

How does the nitrogen cycle contribute to nutrient cycling?

  1. By converting nitrogen gas into a form that can be used by plants

  2. By releasing nitrogen back into the atmosphere through denitrification

  3. By facilitating the decomposition of organic matter

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The nitrogen cycle plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling by converting nitrogen gas into a form that can be used by plants, releasing nitrogen back into the atmosphere through denitrification, and facilitating the decomposition of organic matter.

Which of the following is NOT a supporting service that contributes to nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems?

  1. Decomposition

  2. Pollination

  3. Water cycling

  4. Nitrogen fixation


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Pollination is a process that facilitates the transfer of pollen from the male anther to the female stigma of a flower, leading to fertilization and seed production. While pollination is an important ecological process, it is not directly involved in nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.

How does the phosphorus cycle contribute to nutrient cycling?

  1. By converting phosphorus from inorganic to organic forms

  2. By releasing phosphorus back into the environment through weathering

  3. By facilitating the decomposition of organic matter

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The phosphorus cycle plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling by converting phosphorus from inorganic to organic forms, releasing phosphorus back into the environment through weathering, and facilitating the decomposition of organic matter.

Which of the following is NOT a supporting service that contributes to nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems?

  1. Water cycling

  2. Decomposition

  3. Nitrogen fixation

  4. Photosynthesis


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. While photosynthesis is essential for plant growth and the production of organic matter, it is not directly involved in nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems.

How do supporting services contribute to the overall functioning of ecosystems?

  1. By providing the necessary conditions for nutrient cycling

  2. By facilitating the flow of energy through ecosystems

  3. By regulating climate and water resources

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Supporting services play a crucial role in the overall functioning of ecosystems by providing the necessary conditions for nutrient cycling, facilitating the flow of energy through ecosystems, and regulating climate and water resources.

Which of the following is an example of a supporting service that contributes to nutrient cycling in urban ecosystems?

  1. Green infrastructure

  2. Wastewater treatment

  3. Composting

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Green infrastructure, wastewater treatment, and composting are all examples of supporting services that contribute to nutrient cycling in urban ecosystems. Green infrastructure helps to manage stormwater runoff and reduce pollution, wastewater treatment removes nutrients from wastewater, and composting converts organic waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.

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