7) To recycle nutrients, an ecosystem must have, at a minimum,
A) producers.
B) producers and decomposers.
C) producers, primary consumers, and decomposers.
D) producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and decomposers.
E) producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, top carnivores, and decomposers.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is B) producers and decomposers.
Explanation:
An ecosystem requires certain key components for the recycling of nutrients, which is vital for the continuity of life within it. Let’s break this down:
- Producers: These are typically plants, algae, and some bacteria that can photosynthesize or use other processes (like chemosynthesis) to produce their own food. They are the foundation of an ecosystem, as they capture solar energy and convert it into chemical energy in the form of organic compounds. Producers form the base of the food chain, supporting the rest of the trophic levels.
- Decomposers: These include microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and other organisms that break down dead organic matter (plants, animals, and waste). Decomposers play an essential role in recycling nutrients by breaking down complex organic compounds into simpler substances, like nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon, that can be reused by producers. Without decomposers, the nutrients in an ecosystem would be locked in dead organic matter, leading to a depletion of usable resources and a disruption of the nutrient cycle.
While primary consumers (herbivores) and secondary consumers (carnivores) also play important roles in energy transfer within an ecosystem, the core of nutrient recycling involves the producers and decomposers. Producers bring in energy, and decomposers ensure that essential nutrients are returned to the soil or water, enabling new plant growth. Without either of these groups, the cycle of nutrients would halt, and ecosystems would not function effectively.
Thus, the basic requirement for nutrient recycling in an ecosystem is the presence of producers and decomposers, making option B the correct answer.
I’ll generate an image that visually represents the cycling of nutrients in an ecosystem.
Here is a diagram illustrating the nutrient recycling process in an ecosystem. It shows how producers (plants) convert solar energy into organic matter, and how primary and secondary consumers pass energy along the food chain. Decomposers play a crucial role by breaking down dead organisms and returning essential nutrients to the environment, making them available again for producers.
This cycle is essential for sustaining life and ensuring the continuous availability of nutrients.
