Ecosystem 1

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14.ECOSYSTEM
Single Correct Answer Type
1. Which ecosystem has the highest gross primary productivity

a) Rainforests b) Coral reefs c) Mangroves d) Grass lands
2. In primary succession in water, the pioneer species are
a) Free floating angiosperm b) Small phytoplanktons
c) Rooted hydrophytes d) Lichens
3. The pyramid of biomass will be inverted in the ecosystem of
a) Forests b) Ponds c) Grasslands d) Drylands
4. Complete the following model of carbon cycle filling &, ', (, ), * and +
a) A-Osmosis, B-Photosynthesis, C-Respiration, D-Burning of fuel wood, E-Forest food chain, F-Limestone
b) A-Photorespiration, B-Respiration, C-Respiration, D-Burning of organic debris, E-Pond food chain, F-
Dolomite
c) A-Respiration, B-Photosynthesis, C-Respiration, D-Combustion of fossil fuels, E-Aquatic food chain, F-
Coal, oil
d) A-Respiration, B-Photosynthesis, C-Respiration, D-Burning of forest, E-Terrestrial food chain, F-Forest
5. Large unit of land having different types of plants and animals, is called
a) Uniform vegetation b) Biome c) Ecosystem d) Niche
6. Which of the following is known as the sedimentary cycle because its reservoir is a sedimentary rock?
a) Carbon cycle b) Hydrologic cycle c) Nitrogen cycle d) Phosphorus cycle
7. In ecological succession the communities in near equilibrium with the environment, are called
a) Climax communities b) Ecofriendly communities
c) Seral communities d) Pioneer communities
8. Dried plant parts such as leaves, bark, flowers, etc., and dead remains of animals including faecal matter,
drop over the soil, constitute
I. below ground detritus
II. above ground detritus
III. litter fall
Choose the correct option
a) I and II b) I and IV c) II and III d) I and III
9. In the following, there is no difference.
a) Trophic level-I and herbivores b) Primary consumers and herbivores
c) Primary carnivores and trophic level-II d) Secondary consumer and herbivores
10. Consider the following statements about carbon cycle
I. Carbon is released into the atmosphere
II. The atmospheric input of carbon from rainfall is greater
III. Carbon gas is exchanged between organisms and atmosphere during respiration
Which of the statement given above are correct?
a) I and II b) I and III c) II and III d) I, II and III
11. Ecological pyramids were discovered by
a) Elton b) Odum c) Reiter d) None of these
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12. Plant successions occurring in a sandy area is
a) Psammosere b) Hydrosere c) Xerosere d) Lithosere
13. An ecosystem is
a) Different communities of plants, animals and microbes interact together with their physico-chemical
environments
b) Different communities of plants and microbes interact with their physico-chemical environments
c) A localised assemblage of several plants and animals
d) An assemblage of plants, animals and their surroundings
14. What do ecologists call the transfer of energy that begins with the sun and passes from one organism to
the next in a food chain?
a) A food web b) A top consumer
c) Energy flow d) A pyramid of number
15. The energy invested in the production of new tissue by autotrophic organisms is termed
a) Gross primary production b) Decomposition
c) Gross photosynthetic activity d) Net primary production
16. Microbes that breakdown the complex organic matter into simple substances like carbon, nitrogen, water,
etc., are
a) Producers b) Decomposers c) Consumers d) Symbionts
17. Which one of the following is no used for construction of ecological pyramids?
a) Dry weight b) Number of individuals
c) Rate of energy flow d) Fresh weight
18. Which element is formed by the weathering of rocks and absorbed by plant from the soil?
a) Phosphorus b) Carbon c) Nitrogen d) Oxygen
19. Given diagram represents a pyramid of biomass in an aquatic system
Identifies & of ' and select correct options

a) A is phytoplanktons and B is zooplanktons b) A is zooplanktons and B is phytoplanktons
c) A is smally body animals d) B is small body animals
20. Given below is one of the types of ecological pyramids
This type represents

a) Pyramid of number in a grassland ecosystem b) Pyramid of energy in forest ecosystem
c) Pyramid of biomass in sea ecosystem d) Pyramid of biomass in terrestrial ecosystem
21. The process of breaking down complex organic matter into inorganic substances like CO: , water and
nutrient is called
a) Humification b) Mineralisation c) Decomposition d) Leaching
22. Series of changes in structure and comparition of communities on previously barren area is
a) Sere b) Climax community c) Primary succession d) Secondary succession
23. Energy transferred from on trophic level to another is
a) 5% b) 10% c) 15% d) 20%
24. When the two ecosystems overlap each other, the areas is called
a) Habitat b) Niche c) Ecotone d) Ecotype
25. The total amount of nutrients like carbon, phosphorus, calcium, etc., present in soil at any time is called

a) Standing crop b) Standing state c) Nutrient crops d) Sediment
26. A food web is more realistic than a food chain for showing the feeding relationships in an ecosystem
because
a) It compares the number of consumers to the number of microorganisms in an ecosystem
b) Food chains use only a small sampling of organisms
c) A food web explains why there are more producers than consumers
d) Producers are usually eaten by many different consumers and most consumers are eaten by more than
one predator
27. Identify &, ' and ( from the given flow chart
a) A-Bulbul, B-Snake, C-Monkey b) A-Beetle, B-Lizard, C-Praying mantis

c) A-Ladybird, B-Snake, C-Hawk d) A-Lizard, B-Bird, C-Snake
28. Which of the following ecological pyramid are always inverted?
a) Pyramid of number in parasific food chain and pyramid of biomass in pond ecosystem
b) Pyramid of number in pond ecosystem and pyramid of biomass in pond ecosystem
c) Pyramid of number in pasific food chain and pyramid of number in pond ecosystem
d) All of the above
29. An individual transitional communities in ecological succession are termed as
a) Climax community b) Pioneer community c) Seral communities d) Single community
30. The living organisms present in an ecosystem forms
a) Abiotic components b) Biotic components
c) Physical components d) Chemical components
31. The rate of biomass production per unit area over a time period by plants during photosynthesis is called
a) Gross primary productivity b) Net primary productivity
c) Secondary productivity d) Decomposition
32. The decomposition rate is higher when detritus is rich in
a) Nitrogen and sugar b) Phosphorus and sugar
c) Calcium and sugar d) Both (b) and (c)
33. A man-made ecosystem is
a) Less in diversity b) More in diversity
c) Man does not make ecosystem d) More stable than natural ecosystem
34. The green plants in an ecosystem which can trap solar energy to convert it into chemical bond energy are
called
a) Producer b) Decomposer c) Consumer d) Predators
35. Vegetable eating person acts as
a) primary producer b) primary consumer c) secondary consumer d) tertiary consumer
36. Consider the following statements about food chain
I. The transfer of energy from producers to top consumers through a series of organisms is called food
chain
II. A food chain is always straight and proceeds in a progressive straight line
III. In a food chain, there is unidirectional flow of energy from sun to producers and subsequently to series
of different types of consumers
Which of the statements given above are correct?
37. Food chain consists of
a) Plants b) Herbivores c) Carnivores d) All of these
38. Consider the following ecosystem
I. Pond ecosystem II. Terrestrial ecosystem
III. Oceans ecosystem IV. Forest ecosystem
There are mainly three food chain in natural ecosystem’s grazing food chain, detritus food chain, parasite
food chain
Find out which of the following will have grazing food chain?
a) Pond ecosystem b) Terrestrial ecosystem c) Ocean ecosystem d) All of these
39. A much large fraction of energy flows in aquatic ecosystem through
a) grazing food chain b) Detritus food chain c) Complex food chain d) Food web
40. Consider the following statements concerning food chains.
I. Removal of 80% tigers from an area resulted in greatly increased growth of vegetation.
II. Removal of most of the carnivores resulted in an increased population of deers.
III. The length of food chains is generally limited to 3 to 4 trophic levels due to energy loss.
IV. The length of food chains may vary from 2 to 8 trophic levels.
Which two of the above statements are correct?
a) II and III b) III and IV c) I and IV d) I and II
41. Consider the following statements about food web
I. One organism hold more than one position
II. The flow of energy is very difficult to calculate
III. Instead of straight line it is a series of branching lines
IV. Competition is amongst the members of same and different trophic levels
a) I, II and III b) I, III and IV c) II, III and IV d) I, II, III and IV
42. The statement, ‘Tiger is in the apex of food chain’, indicates
a) Tiger has many enemies
b) Tiger has maximum biomass
c) Tiger is omnivorous
d) Tiger is dependent upon large number of herbivores and even more number of trees in forest
43. Simplified model of phosphorus cycling in a terrestrial ecosystem is given below. Identify &, ', ( and )
a) A-Weathering, B-Decomposition, C-Consumer, D-Soil

b) A-Decomposition, B-Weathering, C-Producer, D-Soil
c) A-Weathering, B-Decomposition, C-Decomposer, D-Soil
d) A-Decomposition, B-Decomposer, C-Weathering, D-Soil
44. Primary productivity is affected by
I. temperature
II. sunlight
III. moisture
IV. availability of nutrients
a) I and II b) I, II and III c) II, III and IV d) I, II, III and IV
45. Terai forest is
a) Tropical forest b) Coniferous forest
c) Deciduous forest d) Temperate deciduous forest
46. The figure given below is a diagrammatic representation of response of organisms to abiotic factors. What
do A, B and C represent respectively?

A B C
a)Conformer Regulator Partial regulator
b) Regulator Partial regulator Conformer
c) Partial Regulator Regulator Conformer
d) Regulator Conformer Partial regulator
47. The ecological niche of population is a
a) Geographical area that it covers b) Place where it lives
c) Set of conditions and resource it uses d) None of the above
48. Inverted pyramid is found in
a) Biomass pyramid of aquatic system b) Energy pyramid of grassland
c) Biomass pyramid of grassland d) Pyramid of number of aquatic system
49. If a predator is overexploits its prey in a ecosystem then what might be consequences of this?
a) Prey might be extinct b) Predator might be extinct
c) Both (a) and (b) d) No affect on prey and predator
50. Which of the following organisms form the decomposers?
a) Pteris b) Bacteria c) Saprophytic fungi d) Both (b) and (c)
51. Osmotrophs belong to
a) Primary consumers b) Secondary consumers c) Top carnivores d) Decomposers
52. Greater primary productivity depends upon
a) Rain (humidity) b) Availability of nutrients
c) Both (a) and (b) d) None of these
53. Word detritus includes
a) Dead plant parts b) Remains of animals c) Animal excretions d) All of these
54. Decomposition of organic matter is brought about by
a) Protozoa b) Plants c) Microorganisms d) None of these
55. Some of the stages in the hydrarch are labelled as
I. Marsh meadow stage
II. Reed swamp stage
III. Submerged plant stage
IV. Phytoplankton stage
V. Submerged free floating plant stage
Identify the choice that represents the correct sequence of these stages
a) IV, III, V, II and I b) III, V, I, II and IV c) II, IV, III, I and V d) IV, V, III, II and I
56. The correct sequence of food chain is
a) Grass → insect → bird → snake b) Grass → bird → insect → snake
c) Snake → bird → insect → grass d) Grass → snake → bird → insect
57. When the number of organisms at successive levels are plotted they assume the shape of a pyramid. This
is called the pyramid of
a) Biomass b) Number c) Energy d) None of these
58. Which kind of pyramid is represented by the given diagram

a) Pyramid of number in tree ecosystem b) Pyramid of biomass in tree ecosystem

c) Pyramid of biomass in aquatic ecosystem d) Pyramid of energy in tree ecosystem
59. In ecotone, some species become abundant called
a) Sibling species b) Endemic species c) Rare species d) Edge species
60. Ecosystem may be defined as
a) A species along with environment b) Plants found in water
c) Plants found on land d) All plants and animal species along with their
environment
61. Following are the different stages in primary succession in water
Which of the following is the logical sequence of primary succession in water?

a) II → IV → V → VII → I → III → V b) I → III → V → II → IV → VI → VII
c) V → II → IV → VI → VII → III → I d) VI → VII → III → I → V → II → IV
62. Energy flow and energy transformation in living systems strictly conform to the
a) Law of limiting factors b) Liebig’s law of minimum
c) Law’s of thermodynamics d) Shelford’s law of tolerance
63. Phosphorus is required for making
I. shell
II. bones
III. teeth
64. The species that invade a bare area in ecological succession are called
a) Benthos b) Biological species c) Seral species d) Pioneer species
65. In a pond ecosystem, benthos means
a) Primary consumers in the depth of a pond b) Virus
c) Zooplankton on the water surface d) Bacteria
66. The given figure best represents
a) Pyramid of number in parasitic food chain b) Pyramid of biomass in forest ecosystem

c) Pyramid of number in grassland ecosystem d) Pyramid of number in forest ecosystem

67. Decomposers are
a) Autotrophs b) Autoheterotrophs c) Organotrophs d) Heterotrophs
68. The lentic ecosystem includes
a) Gravitational water b) Standing water c) Rain water d) Running water
69. Primary succession on rocks starts with
a) Lichen b) Grass c) Mosses d) Ferns
70. Energy storage at consumer level is called
a) Gross primary productivity b) Secondary productivity
c) Net primary productivity d) Net productivity
71. True/False
I. The total organic matter synthesised by the producers in the process of photosynthesis per unit time and
area is known as gross primary productivity
II. Net primary productivity is the weight of the organic matter stored by the producers in a unit
area/volume per unit time
a) I is true while II is false b) II is true, while I is false
c) I and II are true d) I and II are false
72. Lion is kept under in Eltonian pyramid as
a) Producer b) Primary consumer c) Secondary consumer d) Tertiary consumer
73. Maximum primary productivity of pond is achieved by
a) Phytoplankton b) Zooplankton c) Floating plants d) Red algae
74. What is the medium by which carbon cycle takes place?
a) Through atmosphere b) Through ocean
c) Through living and dead organisms d) All of the above
75. …… temperature is required for the proper functioning of an enzyme. The most appropriate word
a) Low b) High c) Optimum d) None of the above
76. In ecological pyramid the base always represent the …A… and the apex represents …B… Here A and B
represents
a) A-producers; B-top level consumers b) A-top level consumer; B-producers
c) A-producers; B-secondary consumers d) A-producers; B-primary consumers
77. Maximum net productivity in the terrestrial ecosystem is in
a) Rain forest b) Deciduous forest
c) Mangrove plantation d) Both (a) and (b)
78. The primary consumers in a pond ecosystem are
a) Phytoplankton b) Zooplankton c) Fishes d) Bacteria
79. Which of the following factor is contributing to an overload of the carbon cycle?
a) Photosynthesis b) Cellular respiration c) Deforestation d) Aforestation
80. Which ones are the reservoirs of sulphur and carbon cycles respectively?
a) Atmosphere and consumers b) Earth crust and atmosphere
c) Earth crust and producer d) Atmosphere and predator
81. Ecosystem consists of
a) Producers b) Consumers c) Decomposers d) All of these
82. Trophic level of food chain having greatest amount of energy, is
a) Carnivores b) Herbivores c) Autotrophs d) Omnivores
83. The entire sequence of communities that successively changes in a given area are called
a) Sere b) Climax c) Pioneer d) Xerarch
84. Energy flow in ecosystem is
a) Bidirectional b) Unidirectional c) All around d) None of these
85. A bear that eats a fish that further ate bugs that ate algae is a
a) Primary producer b) Primary consumer c) Secondary consumer d) Tertiary consumer
86. Acid secreted lichens on baren rock helps in
I. dissolving rocks
II. weathering
III. soil formation
87. Ecological succession is
a) Directional but unpredictable b) Directionless but predictable
c) Directional but predictable d) Directionless but unpredictable
88. Which one of the following pairs is mismatched?
a) Savanna - Acacia trees b) Prairie - Epiphyte
c) Tundra - Permafrost d) Coniferous forest - Evergreen
89. In an ecosystem, the cycling of nutrient is known as
a) Geological cycle b) Chemical cycle c) Geochemical cycle d) Biogeochemical cycle
90. The aquatic organism that can actively swim at will against the water current is
a) Neuston b) Plankton c) Nekton d) Benthos
91. Green plants and green sulphur bacteria, prepare their organic food themselves with the help of sunlight,
are known as
a) Chemoautotrophs b) Photoautotrophs c) Heterotrophs d) Chemotrophs
92. The movement of nutrient elements through various components (abiotic and biotic) of an ecosystem is
called
a) Carbon cycle b) Geochemical cycle c) Biogeochemical cycle d) Chemical cycle
93. Biotic community along with its interacting physical environment comprises
a) Phytosociology b) Phytogeography c) Ecosystem d) Ecology
94. The relation between producers and consumers in an ecosystem can be graphically represented in the
form of a pyramid called
a) Ecological pyramid b) Tropical level c) Pi chart d) Pyramid of biomass
95. Energy stored at the consumer level is
a) Primary productivity b) Secondary productivity
c) Net primary productivity d) Productivity
96. Actively moving organisms in aquatic ecosystem are
a) Nekton b) Benthos c) Viruses d) None of these
97. The secondary succession is easy and is completed quickly, because the area
a) Already has soil and some vegetation b) Is soilless
c) Is barren d) None of the above
98. Gross primary productivity is utilised by …A… in …B…
Choose the correct option for A and B
a) A-plants; B-photosynthesis b) A-plants; B-respiration
c) A-animal; B-respiration d) A-animal; B-digestion
99. What will happen if all the bacteria and fungi are destroyed?
a) There will be no disease and death
b) No antibiotics would become available
c) Dead bodies and excretions will pile up
d) Soil will become rich of all nutrients
100. A simplified model of pond ecosystem is given below. Identify &, ', (, ) and * and choose the correct
option

a) A-Biotic, B-Abiotic, C-Autotrophs, D-Heterotrophs, E-Detritivores

b) A-Biotic, B-Abiotic, C-Producer, D-Primary consumers, E-Detritivores
c) A-Abiotic, B-Biotic, C-Producer, D-Consumers, E-Detritivores
d) A-Biotic, B-Chemical, C-Primary consumers, D-Secondary consumers, E-Tertiary consumers
101. Abiotic components refers to
a) Non-living physico-chemical factors b) Living physico-chemical factors
c) Gases produced by industries d) Living organisms
102. Which of the following ecological pyramids can never occur in an inverted from
a) Pyramid of number b) Pyramid of biomass
c) Pyramid of energy d) Pyramid of species richness
103. Identify the correct type of food chain.
Dead animal → Blow Lly maggots → Common frog → Snake
a) Grazing food chain b) Detrital food chain
c) Decomposer food chain d) Predator food chain
104. Which of the following is expected to have the highest value (gm/m: /yr) in a grassland ecosystem?
a) Secondary production (SP) b) Tertiary production (TP)
c) Gross production (GP) d) Net production (NP)
105. Ecosystem is
a) Always open b) Always closed
c) Both open and closed depending upon community d) Both open and closed depending upon biomass
106. Which of the following pair is a sedimentary type of biogeochemical cycle?
a) Carbon and nitrogen b) Phosphorus and sulphur
c) Phosphorus and nitrogen d) Phosphorus and oxygen
107. Tropical dense forests are due to
a) Low rainfall and low temperature
b) High rainfall and low temperature
c) Low rainfall and high temperature
d) High rainfall and high temperature
108. In a lake, phytoplankton grow I abundance in
a) Littoral zone b) Limnetic zone c) Profundal zone d) Benthic region
109. At each step of food chain when food energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next higher
trophic level only about 10% of energy is passed onto next level. This is known as …A… given by …B… in
…C… . Here A, B and C Refers to
a) A-Energy flow law, B-Lindeman, C-1942 b) A-10% law, B-Lindeman, C-1942
c) A-Energy flow law, B-Lipemann, C-1940 d) A-10% law, B-Lipemann, C-1940
110. The process of accumulation of a dark coloured amorphous substance that is highly resistant to microbial
action and undergoes decomposition at an extremely slow rate is called
a) Mineralisation b) Humitication c) Organisation d) Transformation
111. Total energy fixed by an ecosystem is called
a) Primary production b) Gross production
c) Net production d) Secondary production
112. A detrivore is

a) Animal feeding on plant matter
b) Animal feeding on dead and decaying organic matter
c) A plant feeding on an animal
d) Animal feeding on another animal
113. All the animals that depend on plants for food are called
a) Decomposers b) Root feeders c) Consumers d) Grazers
114. Regarding the mode of obtaining food, the organisms occurring in an ecosystem are classified into plants,
animals and microorganisms. These are respectively called
a) Producer, consumers and decomposers
b) Primary, secondary and tertiary consumers
c) Consumers, producer and decomposers
d) Autotrophs, heterotrophs and producers
115. Out of the following biogeochemical cycles which one is gaseous?
I. sulphur II. Phosphorus
III. nitrogen IV. Carbon
a) Only I b) Only II c) Only IV d) III and IV
116. The amount of living matter present in an ecosystem at a given time is called
a) Biomass b) Standing crop c) Standing state d) Productivity
117. In a food chain, the maximum population of
a) Producers b) Primary consumers c) Secondary consumer d) Tertiary consumers
118. Overlapping region between two ecosystems is called
a) Biome b) Ecotone c) Niche d) Photic zone
119. The major functions of an ecosystem includes
I. productivity II. Decomposition
III. energy flow IV. Nutrient flow
a) I, II and III b) II, III and IV c) I, III and IV d) I, II, III and IV
120. Most diverse organism of an ecosystem is
a) Producer b) Consumer c) Decomposer d) Carnivore
121. In grazing food chain energy comes from
a) Organic remain b) Air c) Water d) All of these
122. The amount of usable energy, which is available for doing work, when the temperature and pressure are
uniform throughout the system is called
a) Enthalpy b) Activation energy c) Spontaneous energy d) Free energy
123. Which one of the following is correct for xerarch succession?
a) Successional series from xeric to mesic condition b) Successional series from hydric to mesic condition
c) Both (a) and (b) d) None of the above
124. Biotic components refer to
a) Gases produced by industries b) Nutrient-deficient soil
c) Living organisms d) Fossil fuels
125. Which one of the following is correct matching of a plant, its habitat and the forest type where it normally
occurs?
a) Prosopis, tree, scrub b) Saccharumofficinarum, grass, forest
c) Shorearobusta, herb, tropical rain forest d) Acacia catechu, tree, coniferous forest
126. Select the options that correctly identifies &, ' and ( in the given table
Organisms Trophic Types of
Level Food Chains
Eagle A Grazing
Earthworm Primary B
consumer

C Secondary Grazing
consumer
a) A-Secondary consumer, B-Grazing, C-Algae b) A-Top carnivore, B-Detritus, C-Frog
c) A-Scavenger, B-Grazing, C-Hawk d) A-Decomposer, B-Detritus, C-Perch
127. What is common in earthworm, soil mites and dung beetle in an ecosystem?
a) They all are detritivores b) Primary consumer
c) Secondary consumer d) Tertiary consumer
128. Which one of the following is involved in sedimentary cycle?
a) Carbon b) Nitrogen c) Hydrogen d) Phosphorus
129. Which of the following pyramid is always upright and can never be inverted?
a) Pyramid of biomass b) Pyramid of number c) Pyramid of energy d) Both (a) and (c)
130. Choose the correct statements
I. Productivity is expressed in gmO: yr OP or (kcal mO: )yr OP
II. The amount of biomass or organic matter produced per unit area over a time period in plants during
photosynthesis is called primary production
III. Primary production is expressed in term of weight (g O: ) or energy (kcal mO: )
IV. Sugarcane have more efficiency to trap sunlight, so they accumulate more primary productivity
a) I and II b) I and IV c) I, II, III and IV d) None of these
131. The 10% law is related to
a) Mendelian genetics
b) Non-Mendelian genetics
c) Energy transfer from lower trophic to higher trophic level
d) Energy consumption during photosynthesis in CQ -plants
132. Which of the following two organisms are producers?
a) Plants and phytoplanktons b) Plants and consumers
c) Zooplanktons and phytoplanktons d) Phytoplanktons and chlorophyll
133. Consider the succession of plants
I. In hydrarch succession series progress from hydric to the mesic condition
II. In xerarch succession series progress from xerarch to the mesic condition
III. In xerarch succession if it is started on bare rock the pioneer species is lichens
IV. In hydrarch and xerarch succession series progress from mesarch to xerarch condition
Which of the following is correct combination match from above statements?
a) II and III b) III and IV c) II and IV d) I, II and III
134. Which creatures are direct or indirect food of all creatures on the ocean’s surface?
a) Protozoans b) Phytoplankton c) Fish d) Aquatic insects
135. An inverted pyramid of …A… may occasionally be observed in …B… communities
a) A-energy; B-grassland b) A-energy; B-forest
c) A-biomass; B-marine d) A-biomass; B-grassland
136. Which one of the following is not a functional unit of an ecosystem?
a) Productivity b) Startification c) Energy flow d) Decomposition
137. Which one of the following types of organisms occupy more than one trophich level in a pond ecosystem?
a) Phytoplankton b) Fish c) Zooplankton d) Frog
138. Humus is
a) Dark coloured amorphous organic matter rich in lignin
b) Dark coloured organic matter rich in cellulose
c) Both (a) and (b)
d) Red coloured substances rich in iron
139. In terrestrial ecosystem such as forest, maximum energy is found in which tropic level?

a) TP b) T: c) TR d) TQ
140. Frog, that feeds on insects, is a
a) Primary consumer b) Secondary consumer
c) Tertiary consumer d) Decomposer
141. The organisms, which attack dead animals are
a) First link of the food chain and are known as primary producers
b) Second link the food chain and are herbivorous
c) Third link of the food chain and are tertiary consumers
d) Present at the end of food chain and are detrivores
142. Pyramid of energy in aquatic ecosystem is
a) Always upright b) Always inverted c) Bell-shaped d) None of these
143. Consider the following statements about ecological pyramids
I. Charles Elton developed the concept of ecological pyramid
II. After the name these pyramids are also called as Eltonian pyramids
III. It is a graphical representation or pyramid shaped diagram which depicts the number of organisms,
biomass and energy at each trophic level
144.
I. 10 kcal/m: /yrII. 100 kcal/m: /yr

III. 1000 kcal/m: /yrIV. 100000 kcal/m: /yr
Refer to the above diagram of energy pyramid. The ecological efficiency at primary consumer level, in
comparison to that at secondary consumer level, is
a) Same b) More
c) Less d) Cannot be ascertained from the data
145. Which of the following pyramid of numbers in ecology is not upright?
a) Pond ecosystem b) Desert ecosystem c) Tree ecosystem d) Forest ecosystem
146. A lion that eats a zebra that ate grass is a
a) Primary producer b) Primary consumer
c) Secondary consumer d) Quaternary consumer
147. Pyramids of biomass in pond ecosystem is
a) Inverted
b) Upright
c) Linear
d) Irregular
148. The process of which humus is degraded by some microbes to release inorganic nutrients is known as
a) Mineralization b) Humification
c) Photophosphorylation d) Pollination
149. The process of mineralisation by microorganisms helps in the release of
a) Inorganic nutrients from humus
b) Both organic and inorganic nutrients from detritus
c) Organic nutrients from humus
d) Inorganic nutrients from detritus and formation of humus
150. Which of the following plants develop characters of xerophytes?
a) Heliophytes b) Sciophytes c) Hydrophytes d) Halophytes

151. Which one of the following statements is correct for secondary succession?
a) It occurs on a deforested site
b) It follows primary succession
c) It is similar to primary succession except that it has a relatively fast pace
d) It begins on a bare rock
152. Phytoplanktons are found in which of the following zones?
a) Limnetic zone b) Secondary consumers
c) Littoral zone d) Aphotic zone
153. The role of a cow in a food chain is
a) Primary consumer b) Heterotroph c) Herbivores d) All of these
154. Which of the following are the essential sources for releasing CO: in the atmosphere?
I. Burning of wood
II. Volcanic activity
III. Combustion of organic matter
IV. Fossil fuels
a) I, II and III b) II, III and IV c) I, III and IV d) I, II, III and IV
155. Source of energy in an ecosystem is
a) Sun b) ATP c) Sugar made by plant d) Green plant
156. Consider the following statements about limitations of ecological pyramids
I. It never takes into account the same species belonging to two or more trophic levels
II. It assumes a simple food chain, which never exists in nature
III. In split of the vital role played by saprophytes/decomposers, they are not given any position in
ecological pyramids
157. Which of the following always has a pyramidal shape, that is, decreasing values at higher trophic levels?
a) Pyramids of number b) Pyramids of biomass
c) Both (a) and (b) d) Pyramids of energy
158. Identify the plant belonging to the reed-swamp stage in hydrarch succession
a) Juncus b) Sagittaria c) Salix d) Trapa
159. Secondary productivity is
a) The rate of formation of new organic matter by consumers
b) Greater than primary productivity
c) 5% less than primary productivity
d) Equal to the gross primary productivity
160. Extinction of a species in a food chain is compensated by
a) Food chain b) Ecological pyramid c) Food web d) None of these
161. The changes that occur in successive seral stages to reach a climax community are
I. changes in the diversity of species of organisms
II. increase in the number of species and organisms
III. increase in the total biomass
162. Which one of the following is a gaseous cycle?
a) Sulphur cycle b) Phosphorus cycle c) Nitrogen cycle d) All of these
163. Which of the following statements are correct?
I. Least productive ecosystems are deserts and deep lakes
II. Sugarcane is the most productive crop
III. Most productive ecosystem is coral reef
164. Pyramid of energy in ecosystem is
a) Always upright b) Always inverted c) Mostly upright d) Mostly inverted
165. A plant is
a) An autotroph b) A heterotroph c) A primary producer d) Both (a) and (c)
166. Ecosystem having the highest primary productivity is
a) Pond b) Ocean c) Desert d) Forest
167. The Great Barrier Reef along the east coast of Australia can be categorized as
a) Population b) Community c) Ecosystem d) Biome
168. A much smaller fraction of energy flows in a terrestrial ecosystem through
a) Grazing food chain b) Detritus food chain
c) Complex food chain d) Food web aquatic ecosystem
169. …A… is required for higher primary productivity. …B… have the lowest primary productivity as the soil is
deficient in moisture.
Choose the correct option for A and B
a) A-Rain; B-desert b) A-Heat; B-forest c) A-Rain; B-forest d) A-Forest; B-desert
170. Driving force of any ecosystem is
a) Organic fuels and carbohydrates b) Biomass
c) Solar energy d) Decomposers
171. Climax community is
a) Stable b) Self perpetuating
c) Final biotic community d) All of these
172. Stratification occurs in
a) Desert b) Tropical forest c) Deciduous forest d) Tundra
173. Plant species having a wide range of genetical distribution evolve into a local population known as
a) Ecotype b) Biome c) Ecosystem d) Population
174. Regarding 10% law
I. This law was put forward by Lindeman in 1942
II. According to this law, during the transfer of food energy from one tropical level to the other, only about
10% is stored at higher trophic level and the remaining 90% is lost in respiration, decomposition and
waste in the form of heat
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) Only I b) Only II c) I and II d) None of these
175. Ecological succession is a
a) Long term process b) Very fast process c) Short term process d) Migration
176. At which latitude, heat gain through insolation approximately equals heat loss through terrestrial
radiation?
P
a) 66° North and South b) 22 : ° North and South
P
c) 40° North and South d) 42 : ° North and South
177. Rabbits eats grass and other plants to survive, but they do not eat animals. Refer the best category for
rabbits?
a) Decomposers b) Carnivores c) Producers d) Herbivores
178. If we completely remove the decomposers from an ecosystem, its functioning will be adversely affected
because
a) Herbivores will not receive solar energy b) Mineral movement will be blocked
c) The rate of decomposition will be very high d) Energy flow will be blocked
179. To show how many organisms are present at each level of a food chain, ecologists use a model called
a) An energy flow pyramid b) Pyramid of numbers
c) Pyramid of energy d) Food chain/food web pyramid
180. Competition for food, light and space is most severe between two
a) Closely related species growing in different niches
b) Distantly related species growing different niches
c) Closely related species growing in same niches
d) Distantly related species growing in same niches
181. What human activities are responsible increase to the amount of CO: in the atmosphere?
a) Deforestation b) Massive burning of fossil fuels
c) Vehicle for energy d) All of the above
182. The reservoir for the gaseous type of biogeochemical cycle exists in
a) Stratosphere b) Atmosphere c) Ionosphere d) Lithosphere
183. Autotrophs
a) Make their own food b) Are the base of the food chain
c) Are primary producers d) All of the above
184. An ecosystem, which can be easily damaged but can recover after some time if damaging effect stops, will
be having
a) Low stability and high resilience b) High stability and low resilience
c) Low stability and low resilience d) High stability and high resilience
185. Which of the following ecosystem types has the highest annual net primary productivity?
a) Tropical rain forest b) Tropical deciduous forest
c) Temperate evergreen forest d) Temperate deciduous forest
186. In pond ecosystem, diatoms represent
a) Producers b) Primary consumer c) Secondary consumer d) Tertiary consumer
187. The importance of ecosystem lies in
a) Cycling of materials b) Flow of energy c) Both (a) and (b) d) Its biomass
188. Two species occupying same or overlapping area are called as
a) Sympatric b) Allopatric c) Parapatric d) Ring species
189. Which of the following representations show the pyramid of numbers in a grassland ecosystem?
a) A b) B c) C d) None of these
190. Choose the area which will take minimum time for succession
a) Newly created reservoir b) Bare rock
c) Buried or cut forest d) Newly cooled lava
191. Each tropical level has a certain mass of living material at a particular time called
a) Standing crop b) Biomass
c) Branching lines d) Progressive straight line
192. What is the rate of secondary production in the energy pyramid given below?
a) Uncertain b) 100 kcal/m: /yr c) 10 kcal/m: /yr d) 110 kcal/m: /yr

193. Energy transfers or transformation are never 100% efficient. This is due to
a) Entropy b) Homeostasis c) Catabolism d) Anabolism
194. The process by which water soluble inorganic nutrients go down into the soil horizon and get precipitated
as unavailable salts is called as
a) Fragmentation b) Leaching c) Catabolism d) Mineralization
195. The nature of climax community in ecological succession in most dependent upon
a) Climate b) Water c) Soil fertility d) None of the above
196. Group of two or more than two plant species is called as
a) Plant community b) Animal ecosystem c) Plant ecosystem d) Ecological niche
197. The products of decomposition process are
a) Humus b) Inorganic nutrients c) Organic nutrients d) Both (a) and (b)
198. The reservoir for the sedimentary cycle exists in
a) Earth crust b) Organic sediments c) Calcareous sediments d) Limestone
199. Standing crop refers to
a) All the photosynthetic living forms in an area
b) All he living forms in an area
c) The amount of living matter in a component population of an ecosystem at any time
d) All the crop plants in an area
200. Nektons are
a) Organisms that swim in water b) Floating plants
c) Suspended lower plants d) Animals associated with plants
201. Vertical distribution of different species occupying different levels in an ecosystem is called
a) Stratification b) Decomposition c) Fragmentation d) Humification
202. Fill in the missing stages (A to D) in the given primary hydrarch succession.
Phytoplankton → (A) → (B) → (C) → Marsh-meadow stage → (D) → Forest plant stage
a) A-Read-swamp-stage, B-Sub-merged plant stage, C-Sub-merged free-floating plant stage, D-Scrub stage
b) A-Sub-merged plant stage, B-Sub-merged free-floating plant stage, C-Read-swamp-stage, D-Scrub stage
c) A-Scrub stage, B-Sub-merged plant stage, C-Read-swamp-stage, D-Sub-merged free-floating plant stage
d) A-Read-swamp stage, B-Scrub stage, C- Sub-merged plant stage, D-Sub-merged free floating plant stage
203. A community that starts the process of succession in a barren habitat is called
a) Emotional community b) Climax community
c) Seral community d) Pioneer community
204. How much incident sun radiation on earth is utilised by producers (plants)?
a) 0.01 b) 0.001 c) 1 d) 2
205. Percentage of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) that is captured by plants in synthesis of organic
matter is
a) 50-80% b) 40-60% c) 70-100% d) 2-10%
206. The term ‘homeostasis’ in an ecosystem refers to
a) Feedback mechanism b) Self regulatory mechanism
c) Influence of production d) State of equilibrium
207. Trophic level in ecosystem is formed by
a) Only bacteria b) Only plants
c) Only herbivores d) Organisms linked in food chain
208. Which one of the following is a sedimentary cycle?
a) Sulphur cycle b) Nitrogen cycle c) Carbon cycle d) Oxygen cycle
209. Select the matched ones.
I. Sedimentary nutrient - Nitrogen cycle
II. Pioneer species - Lichens
III.Secondary succession - Burned forests
IV. Pyramid of biomass in sea - Upright
a) I, II and IV only b) I and III only c) II and III only d) II and IV only
210. Which of the following is an example of man-made ecosystem?
a) Herbarium b) Aquarium c) Tissue culture d) Forest
211. PAR stands for
a) Photosynthesis Active Reaction b) Photosynthesis Absorb Radiation
c) Photosynthetically Active Radiation d) Photosynthetically Active Reaction
212. The sunlight directly regulates the primary productivity because
a) Gross primary productivity is utilised by plants in respiration
b) The plants perform respiration with the help of sunlight
c) The plants perform photosynthesis with the help of sunlight
d) None of the above
213. What is the reason behind deficit rising in nutrient reservoir?
a) Due to imbalance in the rate of influx b) Due to imbalance in the rate of efflux
c) Due to imbalance in the rate of influx and efflux d) None of the above
214. “Complete competitiors cannot coexist” is true for
a) Character displacement b) Competitive exclusion
c) Primary succession d) Secondary succession
215. In a comparative study of grassland ecosystem and pond ecosystem, it may be observed that
a) The biotic components are almost similar
b) The abiotic components are almost similar
c) Primary and secondary consumers are similar
d) Both biotic and abiotic components are different
216. Food chain refers to
a) Number of humans forming a chain for food b) Animals gathered near a source of food
c) Transfer of energy from producers to consumers d) None of these
217. A person who eats a chicken that ate grain is a
a) primary producer b) primary consumer
c) secondary consumer d) quaternary consumer
218. Pyramid that is never inverted
a) Energy b) Mass c) Number d) Size
219. Major ecological community of plants and animals extending over large natural areas is known as
a) Bioregion b) Biosphere c) Biota d) Biome
220. In a pyramid of numbers in a grassland ecosystem, the largest population is that of
a) Producers b) Tertiary consumers c) Secondary consumers d) Primary consumers
221. The exchange pool in the carbon cycle is
a) Fossil fuels b) Sedimentary rock c) Water d) Atmosphere
222. Primary productivity is
I. is 10% less than secondary productivity
II. is the rate of formation of new organic matter by consumers
III. is expressed in terms of weight or energy
IV. is the amount of biomass or organic matter produced per unit area over a time period in plants during
photosynthesis
a) I, II and III b) I and II c) III and IV d) II and IV
223. Which of the following is false?
a) Quantity of biomass is a trophich level at a particular period is called as standing crop
b) The energy content in a trophic level is determined by considering individuals of a species in that
trophic level
c) The succession that occurs in newly cooled lava is called primary succession
d) Rate of succession is faster in secondary succession
224. These belong to the category of primary consumers.
a) Snakes and frogs b) Water insects c) Eagle and snakes d) Insects and cattle
225. Total amount of living material at the various trophic level of a food chain is depicted by pyramids of
a) Numbers b) Energy c) Biomass d) All of the above
226. Primary productivity depends upon
a) Availability of nutrients b) Photosynthetic capacity of plants
227. Consider the following statements
I. Producer are also called as transducers because they are able to change radiant energy into chemical
form
II. Consumers are animals, which feed on other organisms or their parts
III. Decomposers are saprotrophs, which feed on dead bodies of organisms
a) I, II and III b) I and II c) I and III d) II and III
228. Only a small amount of the energy stored in food is available to the next organism in a food chain because
a) There are more producers than consumer in a food chain
b) There are fewer top consumers than producers in a food chain
c) Primary and secondary consumers compete for food
d) Most of the energy is used for life processes
229. The process of accumulation of a dark coloured …A… substance called …B… that is highly resistant to
microbial action and undergoes decomposition at an extremely slow rate is called …C…
Choose the correct option for A, B and C
a) A-amorphous, B-humus, C-humification
b) A-solid, B-minerals, C-mineralisation
c) A-water soluble, B-inorganic nutrients, C-leaching
d) A-enzymatic, B-detritus, C-catabolism
230. In autogenic succession,
a) Early and continued dominance of autotrophic b) Replacement of existing communities cause
organism takes place like green plants largely by any other external condition
c) Early dominance of heterotrophs takes place such d) Community itself modifies its own environments
as bacteria, fungi and other animals thus causing its own replacement by new
communities
231. Which of the following communities is more vulnerable to invasion by outside animals and plants?
a) Temperate forests b) Tropical evergreen
c) Oceanic island communities d) Mangroves
232. The average trophic efficiency of transfer of energy from one trophic level to the higher trophic level is
called
a) Assimilation efficiency b) Exploitation efficiency
c) Lindemann’s trophic efficiency rule d) Gross primary production
233. The two components of an ecosystem are
a) Plants and animals b) Weeds, trees, animals and man
c) Energy flow and mineral cycling d) Biotic and abiotic
234. The food chain which begin with dead organic matter is called
a) Detritus food chain b) Predator food chain c) Parasitic food chain d) Ecosystem
235. The rate of formation of new organic matter by rabbit in a grassland is called
a) Net productivity b) Secondary productivity
c) Net primary productivity d) Gross primary productivity
236. The sequence of communities showing a gradual change in composition is called
a) Continuum b) Bio indicator c) Succession d) Pyramid of number
237. Which of the following is the logical sequence of primary succession in water?
a) Small phytoplanktons → Free-floating angiosperms → Rooted hydrophytes → Sedges → Grasses → Trees
b) Free-floating angiosperms → Small phytoplanktons → Rooted hydrophytes → Grasses → Sedges → Trees
c) Small phytoplanktons → Sedges → Free floating angiosperms → Rooted hydrophytes → Grasses → Trees
d) Small phytoplanktons → Sedges → Grasses → Free-floating angiosperms → Rooted hydrophytes → Trees
238. In an aquatic ecosystem, the trophic level equivalent to cows in grasslands is
a) Phytoplankton b) Zooplankton c) Nekton d) Benthos
239. Energy for the detritus food chain comes from
a) Organic remain b) Air c) Radiation d) Water
240. The organic substance, which decompose slowly are
a) Chitin b) Lignin c) Cellulose d) All of these
241. Stability of ecosystem depends upon
a) Primary productivity
b) Interchange between producers and consumers
c) Number of producers
d) Number of consumers
242. Mr. X is eating curd/yoghurt. For this food intake in a food chain, he should be considered as occupying
a) First trophich level b) Second trophic level
c) Third trophic level d) Fourth trophic level
243. Study the diagram carefully and fill in the blanks
Choose the correct option for &, ', (, ) and *

a) A-Biotic, B-Abiotic, C-Decomposers, D-Photoautotrophs, E-Chemoautotrophs
b) A-Physical, B-Chemical, C-Phytoplanktons, D-Plants, E-Parasites
c) A-Biotic, B-Abiotic, C-Decomposers, D-Autotrophs, E-Mixotrophs
d) A-Physical, B-Chemical, C-Bacteria and Fungi, D-Autotrophs, E-Heterotrophs
244. A pyramid of number in grassland ecosystem shows
a) There are always a large number of producers at the bottom and fewer top consumers
b) There are always a large number of top consumers and fewer producers
c) There are an equal number of producers and consumers
d) There are more top consumer than primary consumers
245. Phosphorus is needed for the production of
a) DNA and RNA b) Cellular membranes c) Bones and teeth d) All of these
246. Which of the following statement is true about ecosystem?
a) The term ‘ecosystem’ was coined by Sir AG Tansley
b) The size of the ecosystem varies from small pond to a large forest or sea
c) In a forest ecosystem, trees occupy top vertical strata or layer, shrubs occupies the second layer and
herbs and grasses occupies the bottom layers
d) All of the above
247. Which food chain correctly describes the flow of energy in an ecosystem?
a) Grass → cow → human b) Caterpillar → leaf → human
c) Cow → grass → human d) Leaf → bird → caterpillar
248. Phosphorus is the major constituent of
I. biological membranes
II. nucleic acids
III. cellular energy transfer system
249. The biomass available for consumption by the herbivores and the decomposers is called
a) Net primary productivity b) Secondary productivity
c) Standing crop d) Gross primary productivity
250. ‘Sun basket’ is
a) The device to utilize sun rays directly to meet the requirement of heat energy
b) The sufficient amount of sunlight stored in a cell
c) A device of taking sunbath
d) All of the above
251. In a grazing food chain carnivores may also the referred to as
a) Primary producers
b) Secondary producers
c) Primary consumers
d) Secondary consumers
252. In a food chain, the total amount of living material is depicted by
a) Pyramid of biomass b) Pyramid of energy c) Pyramid of number d) Trophic levels
253. In an ecosystem, the insectivorous plants are placed in
a) Herbivores b) Primary producers c) Predators d) None of these
254. Find the correct statement
a) Low temperature and aerobic conditions inhibit decomposition
b) Plants capture only 2-10%, of the PAR and sustain the entire living world
c) In aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems the GFC is the major conduit for energy flow
d) Measurement of biomass in terms of fresh weight is more accurate than dry weight
255. The rate of which organic compounds are formed in a green plant or in a population of green plants per
unit time and area is known as the
a) Net primary productivity b) Gross primary productivity
c) Community productivity d) Secondary productivity
256. The correct sequence of plants in a hydrosere is
a) Oak → Z[\][\[ → ^_àbcd → e`d]`[ → fghaìi[ → jkilkm
b) jkilkm → fghaìi[ → e`d]`[ → ^_àbcd → Z[\][\[ → Oak
c) e`d]`[ → jkilkm → ^_àbcd → fghaìi → Oak → Z[\][\[
d) Oak → Z[\][\[ → jkilkm → fghaìi[ → e`d]`[ → ^_àbcd
257. A sequence of species or organism through which the food energy pass in a community is called
a) Pyramid of energy b) Food chain c) Food web d) Nutrient cycle
258. Detritus food chain law accounts for more energy flow than garzing food chain because
a) Most organisms die without having being eaten
b) Most organisms do not die
c) Most organisms having being eaten
259. Select the formula for ecological efficiency.
Gross primary productivity Food energy assimilated
a) × 100 b) × 100
Incident total solar radiatio Food energy ingested
Energy in biomass production
Net primary productivity at trophic level
c) × 100 d) × 100
Gross primary productivity Energy in biomass production
at previous trophic level
260. Primary consumers are
a) Carnivores b) Herbivores c) Decomposers d) Omnivores
261. A functional aspect of an ecosystem is
a) Productivity and decompositions b) Energy flow and nutrient cycling
I. In a food chain one organism holds only one position
II. In a food chain the flow of energy can be easily calculated
III. In food chain competition is limited to the members of same trophic level
a) I, II and III b) I and II c) I and III d) II and III
263. What is the percentage of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), if incident solar radiation is

considered 100%?
a) 100% b) 1-6% c) 2-20% d) 50%
264. Choose the wrong pair.
a) Salvadora – Desert b) Cenchrus – Savanna
c) Abies – Coniferous forest d) Tectona – Temperate forest
265. Which is an example of true pyramid in an ecosystem?
a) Pyramid of a biomass b) Pyramid of number c) Pyramid of energy d) None of the above
266. The minimum number of components required for an ecosystem to survive
a) Producer and primary consumer b) Producer and decomposer
c) Primary consumer and decomposer d) Primary and secondary consumer
267. The 10% energy transfer law of food chain was given by
a) Lederberg b) Lindemann c) Weismann d) Lindley
268. In plant succession, when climax community is reached, the net productivity
a) Continues to increase b) Becomes zero c) Becomes reduced d) Becomes stable
269. In plant succession, when climax is reached, the net productivity
a) Continues to increase b) Becomes halved c) Becomes stable d) Becomes zero
270. The transition zone between two communities is known as
a) Ecotone b) Keystone species c) Edge effect d) Critical link species
271. Primary productivity is
a) The rate of formation of new organic matter by consumers
b) The rate of conversion of light into chemical energy in an ecosystem
c) The rate of energy production per unit area over a time period during photosynthesis
272. In food chain, maximum energy is stored in
a) Producer b) Primary consumer
c) Secondary consumer d) Decomposer
273. Consider the following statements about pyramid of biomass
I. When we plot the biomass (net dry weight) of producers, herbivores, carnivores and so on we have a
pyramid of biomass
II. Two types of pyramid of biomass are found, `. q., upright and inverted
III. When larger weight of producers support a smaller of biomass weight of consumers an upright
pyramid results
IV. When smaller weight of producers support larger weight of consumers an inverted pyramid of biomass
is formed
274. The final stable community in ecological succession is
a) Pioneers b) Sere c) Climax d) Carnivores
275. In what order do a hawk, grass and rabbit form a food chain in a meadow?
a) Hawk → grass → rabbit b) Grass → hawk → rabbit
c) Rabbit → grass → hawk d) Grass → rabbit → hawk
276. Pond is defined as a
a) Biome b) Agroecosystems c) Natural ecosystem d) Community
277. What is the amount of carbon fixed in biosphere through photosynthesis annually?
a) 4 × 10PR kg b) 5 × 10PR kg c) 4 × 10Pr kg d) 5 × 10Pr kg
278. Find out the correct order of succession levels in xerarch.
a) Lichen, moss stage, annual herb stage, perennial herb stage, scrub stage, forest
b) Annual herb stage, perennial herb stage, lichen, moss stage, scrub stage, forest
c) Perennial herb stage, annual herb stage, lichen, moss stage, scrub stage, forest
d) Scrub stage, forest, annual herb stage, perennial herb stage, lichen, moss stage

279. Niche is defined as the
a) Position of species in a community in relation to other species
b) Place where organism lives
c) Place where organism lives and performs its duty
d) Place where population perform their duties
280. In the phosphorus cycle, weathering makes phosphate available first to
a) Producers b) Decomposers c) Consumers d) None of these
281. Most stable ecosystem is
a) Desert b) Marine c) Mountain d) Forest
282. Which of the following is wrongly matched?
a) Temperate zone - 20 − 40° latitude
b) Hypolimnion - Thermal stratification in lakes
c) Ozone layer - Stratosphere
d) Profundal zone - Dark zone
283. The factors influencing the rate of decomposition are
a) Temperature b) Moisture c) Both (a) and (b) d) Catabolism
284. Given below is the diagram of the ecological pyramids

a) Pyramid of number in a grassland b) Pyramid of biomass in a lake
c) Pyramid of biomass in a land d) Pyramid of energy
285. Decomposers like fungi and bacteria are
I. autotrophs
II. heterotrophs
III. saprotrophs
IV. chemoautotrophs
a) I and II b) I and IV c) II and III d) I and III
286. Which of the following groups is absolutely essential functional component of the ecosystem?
a) Producers b) Producers and herbivores
c) Producers and detritivores d) Detritivores
287. Lichens that start the succession on a rock belongs to
a) Climax community b) Intermediate community
c) Pioneer community d) Seral community
288. Peacock eats a snake and snake eats frog and frog eats insect while insect eats green plant, the position of
peacock is
a) Primary producer b) Secondary producer
c) Decomposer d) Top at the apex of food pyramid
289. The enzymatic process by which degraded detritus is converted into simpler inorganic substances is called
a) Catabolism b) Leaching c) Mineralisation d) Fragmentation
290. Given food web contains some missing organisms &, ', ( and ). Identify these organisms and select the
correct answer

a) A-Deer, B-Frog, C-Foxes, D-Sparrow b) A-Dog, B-Squirrel, C-Deer, D-Hawks

c) A-Cat, B-Eagle, C-Cow, D-Rat d) A-Eagle, B-Sparrow, C-Dog, D-Cat
I. The pyramid of biomass is inverted in a pond ecosystem
II. Pyramid of energy is never inverted
III. Pyramid of number is inverted in a tree ecosystem
IV. Pyramid of biomass in forest ecosystem is upright
292. Plants which are attached to the rocks are called
a) Lithophytes b) Aerophytes c) Halophytes d) Psammophytes
293. Community is a group of independent and interacting population of
a) Different species b) Same species
c) Same species in a specific area d) Different species in a specific area
294. The ecological pyramid that is always upright
a) Pyramid of energy b) Pyramid of biomass c) Pyramid of number d) None of these
295. The sequential, gradual and predictable changes in the species compositions in an area are called
a) Seral community b) Climax community c) Ecological succession d) Pioneer species
296. Food chain is a series of population, which starts with producers. It is concerning with
a) Biotic components only b) Energy flow and transfer of nutrients
c) Both (a) and (b) d) Abiotic components and decomposers
297. The total amount of energy that plants assimilate by photosynthesis is called
a) Gross primary productivity b) Net primary productivity
c) Community productivity d) Secondary productivity
298. One model that shows how energy passes from one trophic level to another trophic level is called
a) An energy link b) A food chain
c) A phytoplankton cycle d) Photosynthesis
299. Suppose 2000 J of solar energy is incident on green vegetation. On the basis of 10% law of Lindeman.
Identify &, ' and (
a) A-20 J, B-2 J, C-0.2 J b) A-200 J, B-20 J, C-2 J c) A-400 J, B-40 J, C-4 J d) A-40 J, B-4 J, C-0.4 J
300. In an ecosystem, in which an organism occupies a specific place in a food chain
a) Branching lines b) Progressive straight line
c) Trophic level d) Standing crop
301. Pollution caused by persistent pesticides is relatively more hazardous to which type of organisms?
a) Herbivores b) First level carnivores
c) Producers d) Top carnivores
302. All are true for climax community except
a) Rapidly keeps on changing to reach equilibrium b) Final community
c) End of succession d) Stable
303. Productivity is the rate of production of biomass expressed in terms of
I. (kcal m)OR yr OP
II. g O: yr OP
III. g OP yr OP
IV. (k cal mO: )yr OP
a) II b) III c) II and IV d) I and III
304. Excessive moisture inhibit the process of decomposition due to
a) Anaerobiasis b) Aerobiasis
c) Photoxidation d) Photophosphorylation
305. Select the true statements
I. Gross primary productivity is equal to the net primary productivity minus respiration
II. Gross primary productivity is equals to net primary productivity plus photosynthesis
III. Net primary productivity is equal to photosynthesis plus respiration
IV. Net primary productivity is equal to gross primary productivity minus respiration
V. Flow of energy in an ecosystem is unidirectional
a) I, II and III b) I, IV and V c) II and III d) IV and V
306. Which of the following statements regarding food chain is false?
a) In an aquatic ecosystem, grazing food chain is the major conduit for energy flow
b) In terrestrial ecosystems, a large fraction of energy flows through detritus food chain
c) The detritus food chain begins with dead organic matter
d) Primary consumers belong to the first trophic level
307. Phytoplanktons
a) Actively floating microscopic plant b) Floating angiosperm
c) Benthic organisms d) Passively floating microscopic plant
308. Which of the following pair is a gaseous type of biogeochemical cycle?
a) Nitrogen and carbon cycle b) Phosphorus and carbon cycle
c) Nitrogen and sulphur cycle d) Sulphur and carbon cycle
309. Which zone of a lake has no photosynthetic organism?
a) Profundal zone b) Littoral zone c) Limnetic zone d) Both (b) and (c)
310. The second stage of hydrosere is occupied by the plants like
a) Salix b) Vallisneria c) Azolla d) Typha
311. If decomposers are removed what will happen to the ecosystem?
a) Energy cycle is stopped b) Mineral cycle is stopped
c) Consumers cannot absorb solar energy d) Rate of decomposition of mineral increases
312. If a single plant species is removed from a food web, then most likely
a) An animal species will fill the unoccupied niche
b) Other plants will produce enough food for herbivores
c) Dependent herbivores will have to find new food sources
d) Carnivores will be unaffected by the loss
313. Food chain starts with
a) N: -fixation b) Osmosis c) Respiration d) Photosynthesis
314. Fungi in a forest ecosystem is
a) Producer b) Decomposer c) Top consumer d) Autotroph
315. The ultimate energy source of ecosystem is
a) Solar energy b) Biomass c) Producer d) Carbohydrates
316. Lichen is the pioneer vegetation on which succession?
a) Hydrosere b) Lithosere c) Psammosere d) Xerosere
317. Benthic organisms are found in

a) Surface of marine water b) Middle of water in sea
c) Bottom of sea d) On ground
318. Organisms that breakdown the detritus into matter particles are
a) Herbivores b) Carnivores c) Detritivores d) None of these
319. The assemblage of all the population of different species that function as an integrated unit through
coevolved metabolic transformation in a specific area is called
a) Biome b) Biotic community c) Population d) Ecosystem
320. The organisms which physically and chemically breaks the complex dead organic remains are known as
a) Scavangers b) Decomposers c) Both (a) and (b) d) Parasites
321. Which of the following helps in the growth of terrestrial pteridophytes in tropical rain forest?
a) Microclimate b) CQ −pathway
c) Eutrophication d) Biological magnification
322. Which one of the following shows detritus food chain?
a) Organic waste → Bacteria → Molluscs b) Grass → Insects → Snakes
c) Plankton → Small Lishes → Large Lishes d) All of the above
323. Energy enters the ecosystem through
a) Herbivore b) Carnivore c) Producer d) Decomposer
324. Deserts, grasslands, forests and tundra are the examples of
a) Biomes b) Biogeographical regions
c) Ecosystems d) Biospheres
325. Decomposers of an ecosystem includes
a) Microscopic animals b) Bacteria and fungi
c) Earthworm and Arctic Raven d) All of the above
326. The pyramid of energy is always upright for any ecosystem. This situation indicates the fact that
a) Producers have the lowest energy conversion efficiency
b) Carnivores have a better energy conversion efficiency than herbivores
c) Energy conversion efficiency is the same in all trophic levels
d) Herbivores have a better energy conversion efficiency than carnivores
327. Term ‘ecosystem development’ to ecological succession was given by
a) Odum b) Clements c) R Misra d) Blackman
328. Organisms are classified into trophic levels according to
a) Their habitat b) The source of their nutrients
c) How much they weight d) All of the above
329. The tiger biomass is 10 kg in grass-deer-tiger food chain. The grass biomass will be
a) 100 kg b) 2000 kg c) One tonne d) 10 tonne
330. Organisms living in open sea are called
a) Planktons b) Nektons c) Pelagic d) Benthos
331. Study the four statements (I-IV) given below and select the two correct ones out of them
I. A lion eating a deer and a sparrow feeding on grain are ecologically similar in
being consumers.
II. Predator star fish Pisasterhelps in maintaining species diversity of some invertebrates.
III. Predators ultimately lead to the extinction of prey species.
IV. Production of chemicals such as nicotine, strychnine by the plants are metabolic disorders.
a) II and III b) III and IV c) I and IV d) I and II
332. In food chain, lion is a
a) Tertiary consumer b) Secondary consumer
c) Primary consumer d) None of these
333. Building of biomass or storage of energy by green plants in a unit time and area is called
a) Productivity b) Net primary productivity
c) Gross primary productivity d) Primary productivity
334. Sal and teak are dominant in
a) Tropical rain forest b) Temperate broad leaf forest
c) Temperate needle leaf forest d) Tropical deciduous forest
335. Rate of conversion of light energy into chemical energy of organic molecules in an ecosystem is
a) gross primary productivity b) Net primary productivity
c) Net secondary productivity d) Gross secondary productivity
336. What percentage of heabivore’s chemical energy is transferred to the chemical energy within the
carnivore tissue?
a) 100% b) 50% c) 1% d) 10%
337. In which layer of soil decomposition occurs at maximum rate?
a) Upper layer of soil b) Middle layer of soil c) Lower layer of soil d) None of these
338.
How many food chains are there in the food web shown above?
a) 2 b) 3 c) 5 d) 7
339. Which one of the following is one of the characteristics of a biological community?
a) Stratification b) Natality c) Mortality d) Sex ratio
340. In the given formula, what does ‘a’ represent?
Use of energy in food
Assimilatory efLiciency = × 100
a
a) Energy obtained through primary producer b) Biomass at own level
c) Biomass at lower trophic level d) Energy obtained through food
341. Term ‘ecosystem’ was given by
a) Odum b) Koestler c) Tansley d) Mobius and Forbes
342. Most diverse organisms of an ecosystem are
a) Producers b) Consumers c) Carnivores d) Decomposers
343. Primary succession is the development of communities on
a) Cleared forest area b) Previously unoccupied sites
c) Fresh harvested crop field d) Pond filled after a day season
344. Select the incorrect food chain
a) Grass → frog → vulture
b) Grass → grasshopper → frog → snake → eagle
c) Grass → deer → lion
d) Phytoplankton → zooplankton → fish (perch) → fish (bass) → man
345. Which one of the following correctly represents as organism and its ecological niche?
a) Vallisneria and pond b) Desert locust (Scistocerca) and desert
c) Plant lice (aphids) and leaf d) Vultures and denes forest
346. Given below is one of the type of ecological pyramids

a) Pyramid of energy in a grassland b) Pyramid of biomass

c) Pyramid of number in a lake d) Pyramid of energy in a fallow land
347. The pyramid of number of a parasitic food chain in tree ecosystem is
a) Always inverted b) Always upright
c) Mixture of inverted and upright d) Sometimes inverted and sometimes upright
348. Stratification is more pronounced in
a) Tropical rainforest b) Deciduous forest c) Temperate forest d) Tropical savannah
349. Choose the correct combination of labelling of the zones in water in a lake.
a) A- Limnetic zone B-Profundal zone C-Littoral zone D-Benthic zone

b) A- Littoral zone B-Benthic zone C-Profundal zone D-Limnetic zone
c) A- Littoral zone B-Limnetic zone C-Profundal zone D-Benthic zone
d) A- Limnetic zone B-Littoral zone C-Benthic zone D-Profundal zone
350. Breakdown of detritus into smaller particles by earthworm is a process called
a) Humification b) Fragmentation c) Mineralisation d) Catabolism
351. What is true about the phosphorus cycle?
I. Rocks are the natural reservoirs of phosphorus
II. Weathering of sedimentary rocks makes phosphate available to the soil
III. Herbivores and carnivores obtain phosphorus from plant directly or indirectly
352. How much carbon is dissolved in the oceans?
a) 61% b) 71% c) 81% d) 51%
353. Broad-leaved forests of oak are found in
a) Tropical deciduous forest b) Tropical evergreen forest
c) Temperate deciduous forest d) North coniferous forest
354. The greatest biomass of autotrophs in the world’s oceans is that of
a) Benthic brown algae, coastal red algae and daphnids
b) Benthic diatoms and marine viruses
c) Sea grasses and slime moulds
d) Free-floating micro-algae, cyanobacteria and nanoplankton
355. Which one of the following is commonly found in temperate coniferous forests?
a) Quercus b) Dipterocarpus c) Shorearobusta d) Pinuswallichiana
356. Littoral zone is located along the
a) High mountains b) Sea c) Rivers d) Desert
357. Biological equilibrium is found among the
a) Producers, consumers and decomposers b) Producers and consumers
c) Producers and decomposers d) None of the above
358. Net primary productivity is utilised by
a) Autotrophs b) Heterotrophs c) Decomposers d) All of the above
359. Which of the following is the logical sequence of primary succession in rocks?
a) Small bryophytes → Lichen → Herb → Shrubs → Tress → Forest
b) Lichen → Small bryophytes → Herbs → Shrubs → Tress → Forest
c) Lichen → Herb → Shrubs → small bryophytes → Tress → Forest
d) Herb → Shrubs → Lichen → Small bryophytes → Tress → Forest
360. Another name of nutrient cycling is
a) Gaseous cycle b) Sedimentary cycle c) Biogeochemical cycle d) Carbon cycle
361. Which one of the following statements for pyramid of energy is incorrect, whereas the remaining three are
correct?
a) It show energy content of different trophic level of b) It is inverted in shape
organisms
c) It is upright in shape d) Its base is broad
362. Transition zone between two ecosystems is
a) Ecotype b) Niche c) Ecotone d) Biome

14.ECOSYSTEM
: ANSWER KEY :
1) b 2) b 3) b 4) c 185) a 186) a 187) c 188) a
5) b 6) d 7) a 8) c 189) b 190) c 191) a 192) b
9) b 10) d 11) a 12) a 193) d 194) b 195) a 196) a
13) a 14) c 15) d 16) b 197) d 198) a 199) c 200) a
17) d 18) a 19) b 20) a 201) a 202) b 203) d 204) a
21) c 22) c 23) b 24) c 205) d 206) d 207) d 208) a
25) b 26) d 27) c 28) a 209) c 210) b 211) c 212) c
29) c 30) b 31) a 32) a 213) c 214) b 215) b 216) c
33) a 34) a 35) b 36) d 217) c 218) a 219) d 220) a
37) d 38) d 39) b 40) a 221) d 222) c 223) b 224) d
41) d 42) d 43) b 44) d 225) c 226) c 227) a 228) d
45) b 46) d 47) c 48) a 229) a 230) d 231) b 232) c
49) c 50) d 51) d 52) c 233) d 234) a 235) b 236) a
53) d 54) c 55) a 56) a 237) a 238) b 239) a 240) d
57) b 58) c 59) d 60) d 241) b 242) b 243) a 244) a
61) b 62) c 63) d 64) d 245) d 246) d 247) a 248) d
65) a 66) b 67) c 68) b 249) a 250) a 251) d 252) a
69) a 70) b 71) c 72) d 253) b 254) b 255) b 256) b
73) a 74) d 75) c 76) a 257) b 258) a 259) d 260) b
77) a 78) b 79) c 80) b 261) c 262) a 263) d 264) d
81) d 82) c 83) a 84) b 265) c 266) b 267) b 268) d
85) d 86) d 87) c 88) b 269) c 270) a 271) b 272) a
89) d 90) c 91) b 92) c 273) d 274) c 275) d 276) c
93) c 94) a 95) b 96) a 277) a 278) a 279) c 280) a
97) a 98) b 99) c 100) b 281) b 282) a 283) c 284) d
101) a 102) c 103) b 104) c 285) c 286) c 287) c 288) d
105) a 106) b 107) d 108) b 289) a 290) a 291) d 292) c
109) b 110) b 111) b 112) b 293) d 294) a 295) c 296) c
113) c 114) a 115) d 116) b 297) a 298) a 299) a 300) c
117) a 118) b 119) d 120) c 301) d 302) a 303) c 304) a
121) b 122) d 123) a 124) c 305) d 306) d 307) d 308) a
125) a 126) b 127) a 128) d 309) c 310) b 311) b 312) c
129) c 130) b 131) c 132) a 313) d 314) b 315) a 316) b
133) d 134) b 135) c 136) b 317) c 318) c 319) b 320) c
137) b 138) d 139) a 140) b 321) a 322) a 323) c 324) a
141) d 142) a 143) d 144) c 325) b 326) d 327) a 328) b
145) c 146) c 147) a 148) a 329) c 330) a 331) d 332) a
149) a 150) d 151) a 152) c 333) b 334) d 335) a 336) d
153) d 154) d 155) a 156) d 337) a 338) c 339) a 340) d
157) d 158) b 159) a 160) c 341) c 342) d 343) b 344) a
161) d 162) a 163) d 164) a 345) c 346) b 347) a 348) a
165) d 166) b 167) c 168) a 349) c 350) b 351) d 352) b
169) a 170) c 171) d 172) b 353) c 354) d 355) d 356) b
173) a 174) c 175) a 176) c 357) a 358) b 359) b 360) c
177) d 178) b 179) b 180) c 361) b 362) c
181) d 182) b 183) d 184) a

14.ECOSYSTEM
: HINTS AND SOLUTIONS :

1 (b) consumer)
Productivity is maximum in the because they
grow in areas having good light and abundant ↑
nutrients Herbivore (trophic level-II or primary consumer)
2 (b)
In primary succession in water the pioneer ↑
species are small phytoplanktons, q. u.,diatoms,
green flagellates, single-celled colonial or Producers (trophic level-I)
filamentous green algae 10 (d)
3 (b) The atmosphere carbon dioxide is virtually the
The amount of living matter present in an only source of carbon. The main pathway of
ecosystem is known as biomass. It is upright in carbon in carbon cycle in from the air
case of tree, which supports a large number of (atmosphere) and water (hydrosere) into the
birds and inverted in a pond where a large fish living systems and back
feeds upon a large number of phytoplanktons The atmospheric input of carbon from rainfall is
4 (c) greater. Carbon gas is exchanged between
A-Respiration, B-Photosynthesis, C-Respiration, organism and atmosphere during respiration
D-Combustion of fossil fuels, E-Aquatic food chain, 11 (a)
F-Coal, oil Ecological pyramid is the graphic representation
5 (b) of the interaction of food chain and the size
Biomes are the major terrestrial ecosystems or metabolism relationship between the lineally
distinctive terrestrial areas with their group of arranged various biotic components of an
climax plants and associated animals It is the ecosystem. The concept of pyramid was proposed
largest terrestrial community. by Charles Elton.
12 (a)
6 (d) Psammosere – Sequence of successional stages on
In the sedimentary cycle, the reservoir for the sand
nutrient elements is in the sediments of the earth. Lithosere – Sequence of successional stages on a
Elements, such as phosphorus, sulphur, potassium bare rock
and calcium have sedimentary cycle Hydrosere – The various stage of biotic succession
7 (a) taking place in water body are collectively termed
Climax community is the stable, self perpetuating as hydrosere
and final biotic community that develops at the Xerosere – The series of development stages of
end of biotic succession and is in perfect harmony biotic succession is an arid area is termed as
with the physical environment. It is also termed xerosere
as climatic climax community 13 (a)
8 (c) An ecosystem is the basic functional ecological
Dried plant parts such as leaves bark, flower, etc., unit in which living organisms interact among
and dead remains of animals including faecal themselves and with their surrounding physical
matter drop over the soil, constitute the above environment
ground detritus and litter fall 15 (d)
9 (b) Net primary production.
Top carnivore (trophic level-IV or tertiary Net primary productivity is the weight of the
consumer) organic matter stored by the producers in a unit
area/volume for unit time. It is given by NPP =
↑ GPP – R (Gross Primary Productivity) where, R =
Primary carnivore (trophic level-III or secondary Respiration losses. It is utilised by hetertrophs

16 (b) Decomposition of dead organic matter (plants,
Decomposers or the microconsumers (bacteria animals and waste products of animals) occurs in
and fungi) are also called as saprobes or nature and it is also called decay or putrification.
saprophytes. They breakdown the complex In a terrestrial ecosystem, the upper layer of soil
organic substances of dead plants and animals to is the main site of decomposition
release most of inorganic substances back into the 22 (c)
environment for their reuse by the producers Primary succession.
17 (d) Primary succession is a biotic succession that
Ecological pyramids are the graphical occurs on a previously sterile or primarily bare
representation of the trophic structure and area, q. u.,newly exposed sea floor igneous rocks,
function at successive trophic levels. Ecological sand dunes, new cooled lava sediment, etc.
pyramids are of three general types, listed as 23 (b)
under As per ‘ten percent law’ in an ecosystem, all
energy is provided by sun through
(i) Pyramid of number,
number showing the number of photosynthesis. Total energy stored by the
organisms at each level. autotrophs in the form of food is available to the
(ii) Pyramid of biomass,
biomass showing the total dry herbivores as food. Herbivores can stored only
weight of living organisms. 10% of this energy in their biomass and 90% is
used in life activities and loss as heat. In the same
(iii) Pyramid of energy,
energy showing the rate of energy way, herbivores are eaten by carnivores and
flow/productivity at successive trophic levels. carnivores by top carnivores. Thus, only 10% of
energy is captured by the organisms of next
Thus, fresh weight is not used for the construction higher trophic level.
of ecological pyramids.
24 (c)
18 (a) Ecotone is a zone of transition presenting a
During weathering of rocks, minute amount of situation of special ecological interest between
phosphates dissolve in soil solution and are two different type of communities (ecosystems).
absorbed by plants through roots Ecological niche of an organism includes the
19 (b) physical space occupied by it, its functional role in
Pyramid of biomass is inverted in a pond, where a community, i.e., trophic level and position in
large number of zooplanktons eats upon a large environment gradients of temperature, pH, soil
number of phytoplanktons etc.
25 (b)
The total amount of nutrients like carbon,
phosphorus, calcium, etc., present in soil at any
Inverted pyramid of biomass where a small given time is called standing state. Standing state
standing crop of phytoplanktons supports large varies with the kind of ecosystem, and season
standing crop of zooplanktons 26 (d)
20 (a) Food webs are more realistic because they show
Pyramids of number in grassland ecosystem. that the producers are usually eaten by many
The pyramid of numbers deal with the number of different consumers and most consumers are
primary producers and consumers. It is upright in eaten by more than one predator
a grassland and inverted in a tree ecosystem. In a 27 (c)
grassland the number of producers is more than Plants → Aphids → Ladybird → Sparrow → Snake
the number of top carnivores, whereas in case of a → Hawk
tree, the number of producers is less as compared 28 (a)
to consumers The pyramid of number of lake or pond
21 (c) ecosystem is always inverted, where a large fish
Decomposition is the process of breaking down a eat large number of small zooplanktons and
substance into its constituent parts. pyramid of number in parasitic food chain is also

inverted a single small leaves can support large First order (Primary) – Herbivores
number of parasite Second order (Secondary) – Primary carnivores
29 (c) Third order (Tertiary) – Secondary carnivores
The various biotic communities that develop Fourth order (Quaternary) – Top carnivores
during biotic succession are termed as seral or 38 (d)
transitional communities The grazing food chain is occurs in all the
30 (b) ecosystem
The living organisms present in an ecosystem 39 (b)
forms biotic components. They are A much larger fraction of energy flows in aquatic
interconnected through food chain ecosystem through the graizing food chain than
31 (a) through the grazing food chain. Energy for the
The rate of synthesis of organic matter or food chain comes from organic remain or detritus
biomass, produced at any trophic level during a 40 (a)
given period of time is called productivity. It is The series of organisms eating one and being
measured as weight g O: yr OP or energy (kcal/ eaten by other is called food chain.
chain A simple food
: chain consists of producers, herbivores and
m /yr)
32 (a) carnivores. The length of food chain is generally
The decomposition rate is higher when detritus is limited to 3-4 trophic levels due to energy loss. In
rich in nitrogen and water-soluble substances like grazing food chain, the producers (i.e., plants) are
sugars eaten by herbivores (i.e., rabbit, dear, cow, etc)
33 (a) and are eaten by carnivores. Therefore, the
Artificial ecosystem is created and maintained by removal of most of the carnivores resulted in an
human beings. It has less diversity and less increased population of deers.
stability, e.g., crop ecosystem.
41 (d)
34 (a) A number of food chains are inter-connected with
Producers are autotrophs organisms, which alone each other forming a web-like pattern is called
are able to manufacture organic food from food web. One organism can hold more than one
inorganic raw materials in the process of position. The flow of energy is very difficult to
photosynthesis. The energy for this process is calculate instead of straight line, it is a series of
obtained from solar radiations or sunlight branching lines
35 (b) 42 (d)
Primary consumers in an ecosystems are Tiger is the top consumer in a food chain. It can
herbivores, which feed directly on producer feed upon lower carnivore as well as herbivores.
(green plants) Herbivores are dependent upon producers (i.e.,
36 (d) green plants) for their food. Thus, indirectly it is
A food chain is a sequence of populations or also linked with trees (i.e., primary producers).
organisms of an ecosystem through which the
food and its contained energy passes with each 43 (b)
member becoming the food of later member of A-Decomposition, B-Weathering, C-Producer, D-
sequence Soil
It is a single straight pathway through which food 44 (d)
energy travels in the ecosystem Factor affecting primary productivity are as
Energy flow in an ecosystem is always follows
unidirectional or one way, i.e., Solar radiation → (i) Plant species inhabiting a particular area
Producers → Herbivores → Carnivores. It can not (ii) Environmental factors
pass in the reverse direction 1. Sunlight The sunlight directly regulates
37 (d) the primary productivity because the
The food chain consist of producers, consumers plants perform photosynthesis with the of
and decomposers. Consumers are often of 3-5 sunlight. As trophic region receives
types maximum sunlight, so it exhibits higher

productivity includes bacteria and fungi
52 (c)
2. Temperature Temperature regulates the Rain (humidity) is required for higher primary
activity of enzyme. So, optimum productivity. Desert have the lower primary
temperature is required for proper productivity as the soil is deficient in moisture.
functioning of enzymes Greater nutrients ensure greater primary
3. Moisture Rain (humidity) is required for productivity
higher primary productivity. Deserts have 53 (d)
the lowest primary productivity as the soil Detritus is non-living particulars organic
is deficient in moisture material.It typically includes the bodies or
fragments of dead organisms as well as faecal
4. Availability of Nutrients Greater nutrients material. Detritus is typically colonised by
ensures the greater primary productivity communities of microorganisms, which act to
decompose the material. In terrestrial
5. Photosynthetic Efficiency Some plants ecosystems, it is encountered as leaf litter and
have more efficiency to trap the sunlight other organic matter intermixed with soil, which
(sugar cane), so they accumulate more is referred to as humus. Detritus of aquatic
primary productivity ecosystems is organic material suspended in
water, which is referred to as marine snow
45 (b)
Terai forests are coniferous forests occurring at 54 (c)
Decomposition of organic matter is brought about
an altitude of 1700-3000 m. Major trees are
various species of Pinus, Cedrus and Cupressus. by microorganisms. These are also called
microconsumers or saprobes or saprophytes.
46 (d)
55 (a)
(i) Regulator - mammals and birds
Various stages in hydrarch are
(ii) Conformer - all plants and 99% animals
(iii) Partial regulators. Phytoplankton
48 (a)
Inverted pyramid is found in biomass pyramid of ↓(Blue-green algae, bacteria)
aquatic ecosystem. In this, the number of
producers is maximum but their mass is Rooted submerged
minimum, which gradually rises up in the ↓(Hydrilla, Utricularia)
successive trophic levels.
Floating stage
e. g. , Phytoplanktons (minimum mass)
→ zooplanktons → small Lishes ↓(Nelumbo, Nymphaea, Azolla)
→ large Lishes (maximum mass).
Reed swamp stage
49 (c)
If a predator if overexplaits its prey then prey ↓(Lemna, Wolffia)
might become extinct and following it the Sedge meadow stage
predator will also become extinct for lack of food
50 (d) ↓(Scirpus, Typha)
Decomposers are saprotrophs, which decompose
the organic remains. These are saprophytic fungi Woodland stage
and bacteria.
↓(Juncus, Cyperus)
51 (d) Forest stage
Osmotrophs are the organisms that obtain
nutrients through the active uptake of soluble 56 (a)
materials across the cell membranes. This group Food chain consists of producers, consumers and

decomposers. In the mentioned question, the 63 (d)
producer is grass and the first consumer is insect. Phosphorus is a major constituent of biological
Insect is eaten by bird and the bird is eaten by membranes, nucleic acids and cellular energy
snake. So, the correct food chain would be grass, transfer systems. It is required for making shells,
insects, bird and snake. bones and teeth
64 (d)
57 (b) The first biotic community which develops in a
In the pyramid of number, the number of bare area is called pioneer community. It has very
individual organisms at each trophic level is little diversity. This stage takes the longest time to
shown. change the environment for invasion of the next
58 (c) community
In pond ecosystem producers are the smallest 65 (a)
organisms while, carnivores are large in size. Benthosare
Benthos those animals, which live at the
Consequently, there is a gradual increase in bottom of a lake. They are primary consumers in
biomass of organisms at successive trophic levels the depth of the pond.
from producers onward to top carnivores 66 (b)
resulting in inverted pyramid From the given option only b can be correct
Thus, the biomass of phytoplanktons will be because pyramid of biomass is upright in that
smaller than that of zooplanktons. The biomass of condition only
zooplanktons will be lesser than of primary 67 (c)
carnivores (e.g., small fishes). In such a inverted Decomposers are organotrophs which feed on
pyramid of biomass, small standing crop of dead bodies of organisms and organic wastes of
phytoplankton support a large standing crop of living organisms.
zooplankton
68 (b)
Standing water ecosystem as lake, pond, pools,
puddles, ditch, swamp etc are called lentic,
lentic while
running water ecosystem as spring, stream and
rivers are called lotic.
59 (d) 69 (a)
Ecotone is a zone of transition between two Primary succession on rock starts with lichen of
adjacent communities. In ecotone, the density of species Rhizocarpon, Rinodina and Lecanora.
most of the species is higher than that in They produce some acid, which bring about
neighbouring communities. These species are weathering of rocks. That result into soil
called edge species and this feature of ecotone as formation
principle of edges. 71 (c)
Gross primary productivity is the rate of
60 (d)
production of organic matter during
An ecosystem may be defined as a structural and
photosynthesis in an ecosystem. GPP is utilized by
functional unit of the biosphere, comprising living
plants in respiration.
organisms and their non-living environment that
Net primary productivity is the weight of the
interact by means of food chains and chemical
organic matter stored by the produces in a unit
cycles resulting in energy flow, biotic diversity
area/volume per unit time.
and material cycling to form a stable, self-
It is given by NPP = GPP – R
supporting system
Where, R = Respiration losses
61 (b)
NPP is utilised by heterotrophs
Phytoplankton → Submerged plant stage →
72 (d)
Submerged free floating plant stage → Read
Lion is tertiary consumer (top carnivore) in
swamp stage → Marsh-meadow stage → Scrub
Eltonian pyramid.
stage → Forest

73 (a) community is known as sere. The succession
Most primary productivity of pond is by varians stae when occurs in acid area are called
phytoplankton xerarch. The various stages of biotic succession
74 (d) taking place in a water body are collectively
The carbon cycle occurs through atmosphere termed as hydrosere, while such a succession is
ocean and through living and dead organisms. It is known as hydrarch succession
estimated that 4 × 10PR kg of carbon is fixed in 84 (b)
the biosphere through photosynthesis annually An ecosystem is whole biotic community in a
75 (c) given area plus its abiotic environment. Energy
Temperature regulates the activity of an enzyme. flow in ecosystem is unidirectional, i.e., from
So, optimum temperature is required for proper producers to consumers.
functioning of an enzyme 85 (d)
76 (a) Producers → Primary consumers → Secondary
A-Produces; B-Top level consumers consumers → Tertiary consumers
78 (b) (Algae) (Bugs) (Fish)
The small crustaceans (water fleas, Cyclops) are (Bear)
herbivores as they feed phytoplanktons. They are 86 (d)
free-floating animals and form the zooplankton. Primary succession on rocks starts with lichen of
The primary consumers in pond ecosystem are species Rhizocarpon, Rinodina and Lecanora.
zooplanktons and other primary consumers are They produce some acids which bring about
mosquito larvae, tadpoles, snails and tortoises weathering of rocks. These lichens are then
79 (c) replaced by foliose type of lichens. Due to
Human activities like deforestation and vehicular description and retention of water by them, they
burning of fossil has caused an increase in the from a fine thin soil layer on rock surface and thus
amount of CO: in atmosphere there, is a change in the habitat
80 (b) 87 (c)
In sulphur cycle, the main reservoir is earth crust. The sequential, gradual and predictable changes
In carbon cycle, the main reservoir is atmosphere in the species composition in an area are called
81 (d) ecological succession
Ecosystem consists of producers (autotrophs), 89 (d)
consumers (herbivores, carnivores) and Biogeochemical cycle.
decomposers. In sulphur cycle, the main reservoir is earth crust.
In carbon cycle, the main reservoir is atmosphere
82 (c) 90 (c)
Biotic factors of ecosystem linked together for Nekton are aquatic organisms that can actively
food and form a chain called food chain. The swim at will against the water current. They live
various steps in food chain are called trophic in shallow and deep ocean waters. Most nekton
levels. According to pyramid of energy-the eat zooplankton, other nekton or thy scavange for
energy flows from one trophic level to next in one waste.
direction only. 91 (b)
According to law of thermodynamics, when Photoautotrophs are the green plants, some
energy transformed from one step to next step protists, such as Euglena and certain bacteria,
then some energy is liberated in the form of heat. such as green sulphur bacteria. With the help of
their chlorophyll, they entrap the light energy of
As the autotrophs (green plants) form the base of the sun and change it into the chemical energy in
food chain, therefore, they have highest amount of the form of simple carbohydrate, glucose which
energy. are produced by them from simple inorganic
compounds, namely carbon dioxide and water.
83 (a) This process is called photosynthesis
The entire sequence of development stage of 92 (c)
biotic succession from pioneer to a climax The term nutrient cycle or biogeochemical cycle is
used for the exchange/circulation of biogenetic decompose the dead organic matter so, the
nutrients between the living and non-living extinction of the decomposers will severely
components of the biosphere. Biogenetic destroy the nature as the dead remains in the
nutrients or biogeochemical nutrients are nature will accumulate and they will not get
essential elements required by the organisms for decomposed.
their body building and metabolism. These are The dead matter will not get decomposed and as a
provided by earth and return to earth again after result the soil will not get the nutrients by the
their death and decay decomposition of dead matter and hence the soil
93 (c) will become infertile
Ecosystem. 100 (b)
An ecosystem may be defined as a structural and A-Biotic, B-Abiotic, C-Producer, D-Consumers, E-
functional unit of the biosphere, comprising living Dettitivares
organisms and their non-living environment that The option b is the correct because from the chart
interact by means of food chains and chemical zooplankton only can be primary consumer
cycles resulting in energy flow, biotic diversity because they fead an phytoplankton. They can not
and material cycling to form a stable, self- be secondary or tertiary consumer in food chains
supporting system 101 (a)
94 (a) A biotic components includes the non-living
There is some sort of relationship between the physico-chemical factors of the environment.
numbers, biomass and energy contents of the These components not only affect the distribution
producers and consumers of different orders in and structure of organisms but also their behavior
any ecosystem. These relationships, when and inter-relationships. Abiotic factors include
represented in diagrammatic ways, are called inorganic substances, organic compounds,
ecological pyramids climatic factors and edaphic factors
Ecological pyramids are of the types 102 (c)
(i) Pyramid of number The shape of pyramid of energy is always upright
(ii) Pyramid of biomass as energy always decreases at each successive
(iii) Pyramid of energy level (i.e., from producers to consumers).
The concept of pyramid was proposed by Charles
Elton (1927) so, they are also called as Eltonian 103 (b)
pyramids Organic remains (dead plant parts, animal
95 (b) remains and excretions) are also called detritus.
Secondary productivity is the rate of storage of A food chain, which begins with detritus or dead
organic matter by consumers per unit area per organic matter is called detritus food chain. The
unit time energy passes into decomposers and detrivores,
96 (a) then to smaller carnivores, then to larger
Nekton and neuston are actively swimming carnivores and so on.
animals which includes, fishes, turtles, whales, 104 (c)
seals, etc. The rate of total capture of energy or the rate of
Benthos are large numbers and sessil or relatively total production of organic material is gross
inactive animals. primary productivity,
productivity while the balance or
97 (a) biomass remaining after meeting the cost of
The secondary succession is easy and is complete respiration of producers is net primary
quickly, because the area already has soil and productivity. Hence, gross productivity has
some vegetation. Soil is present in the area, where highest value in grassland ecosystem.
secondary succession begins
98 (b) 105 (a)
Gross primary productivity is utilised by plants in Ecosystem is an open system. It receive input in
respiration the form of solar energy and matter. It results in
99 (c) productivity or synthesis of organic food. Food
As decomposers are the primary weapons to
with its contained energy passes through various etc.
components of ecosystem 117 (a)
106 (b) Producers
Phosphorus and sulphur. 118 (b)
In sedimentary cycle, the main reservoirs are soil The zone of transition between two different
and rocks, q. u.,sulphur cycle, phosphorus cycle, communities presenting a situation of
etc. overlapping is known as ecotone.
ecotone
107 (d)
Tropical rain forests (tropical dense forests) 119 (d)
occur near the equator where rainfall and The major functions of an ecosystem includes
temperature are very high. (i) Productivity (ii) Decomposition
(iii) Energy flow (iv) Nutrient cycling
108 (b) 121 (b)
In a lake, there are littoral zone, limnetic zone and Sun.
profundal zone. In limnetic zone, the producers A much less fraction of energy flows through
are mainly phytoplanktoni algae which are grazing food chain in ecosystem terrestrial.
diatoms, green algae and blue green algae. In Energy for the food chain comes from the sun.
profundal zone, the organisms mainly depend for Food chain adds energy into the ecosystem
their food on the littoral and limnetic zone. 122 (d)
109 (b) Free energy is the portion of a system’s energy
A-10%, B-Lindeman, C-1942 that can perform work when temperature is
110 (b) uniform throughout the system as in a living cell.
The process of ‘humification’ can occur naturally
in soil or in the production of compost. It leads to Enthalpy is the total energy including usable
accumulation of dark amorphous substance called energy and unusable energy.
humus 123 (a)
111 (b) Xerarch succession is plant succession which
Total energy fixed by an ecosystem is called gross takes place in dry area leading to a successional
production series from xeric to mesic conditions
112 (b) 124 (c)
Detrivores feeds on and breakdown the dead Living organisms.
plants and animal matter, returning essential The components of an ecosystem may be divided
nutrients to the ecosystem. Detritivores includes into two main types, i.e., Biotic component
microorganisms such as bacteria and protists as comprising the various kinds of living organisms
well as larger organisms such as fungi, insects, and Abiotic component consisting of
worms and isopod crustaceans environmental factors
113 (c)
All the animals that depend for food on plants are
called consumers. Consumers are divided into the
following categories
Primary consumers Animals which feed directly
on plants, i.e., herbivores
Secondary consumers Consumers that feed on
primary consumers,i.e., carnivores
125 (a)
Tertiary consumers Consumers that feed on
Prosopis is a tree found in scrub.
secondary consumers. Grazers is one of the
Saccharumofficinarum is grass, which is
category of consumers
cultivated. Shorearobusta (sal) is tree found in
115 (d)
moist tropical forests. Acacia catechu is tree
Nitrogen and carbon cycle.
found in dry deciduous forests.
In sedimentary cycle, the main reservoirs are soil
and rocks, q. u.,sulphur cycle, phosphorus cycle, 126 (b)
A-Top carnivore, B-Detritus, C-Frog producers. Consumers are not producers. They
127 (a) eat (consume) producers
Some workers differentiate into two more 133 (d)
categories of living beings amongst the biotic In both hydric and xerharch succession ultimately
components of an ecosystem. These are lead to mesarch conditions. The pioneer species
detrivores and parasites. Parasites belong to on bars rock is always lichen
diverse groups, q. u., bacteria, fungi, protozoans, 134 (b)
worms, etc. Every type of living being can be Phytoplanktons are the producers in ocean’s
attacked by parasites. Detrivores or scavengers ecosystem.
are animals which feed on dead bodies of other
organisms, q. u.,termites, carrion beetles. They are 135 (c)
helpful in quick disposal of the dead bodies An inverted pyramid of biomass may occasionally
128 (d) be observed in marine communities
Phosphorus. 136 (b)
In sedimentary cycle, the main reservoirs are soil Vertical distribution of different species
and rocks, q. u.,sulphur cycle, phosphorus cycle, occupying different levels is called stratification.
etc. For example, in forest ecosystem, trees occupies
129 (c) the top vertical strata, shrubs occupies the second
Pyramid of energy represents amount of energy and herbs, grasses occupies the bottom layer. It is
traped per unit area and time in different trophic not a functional unit of an ecosystem
levels of a food chain. It is always upright. 137 (b)
130 (b) In a pond ecosystem, fishes occupy the more than
The rate of synthesis of energy containing organic one trophic levels.
matter by any trophic level per unit area in unit 138 (d)
time is described its productivity. It is measured Humus is dark coloured amorphous substance
as weight (q. u. , g/m: /yr) or energy (q. u. , kcal/ rich in lignin and cellulose
m: /yr). The amount of energy accumulation in 139 (a)
green plants as biomass or organic matter per Maximum energy is found in first trophic level
(TP )`. q., produces.
unit area over a time period through the process
of photosynthesis is known as primary 140 (b)
productivity. Primary productivity is expressed in Secondary consumer
term of weight (g O: ) or energy (kacl mO: ). CQx
plants area more productive thatCR plants. Sugar
cane is most productive crop being efficient in
trapping light
141 (d)
131 (c)
The organisms, which attack dead animals are the
The number of trophic levels in the food chain is
present at end of food chain and known as
restricted as the transfer of energy follows 10%
decomposers. Decomposers are heterotrophic
law. This law states that only 10% of the energy is
organisms, mostly bacteria and fungi, which lives
transferred to next trophic level from the lower
on dead organic matter or detritus. They release
trophic level
different enzymes from their bodies into the dead
132 (a)
and decaying plant and animal remains, leading to
In a terrestrial ecosystem, plant grows by
the release of simple inorganic substances. Thus,
manufacturing food from carbon dioxide of air
they play an important role in the cycling of
and water and minerals of soil with the help of
minerals
chlorophyll and sunlight. Plants, thus acts as the
142 (a)
producer on land
Pyramid of energy is a graphic representation of
In a pond, phytoplankton (rooted and floating
the amount of energy trapped per unit time and
plants) synthesise food materials from dissolved
area in different trophic levels of a food chain
nutrients by photosynthesis. They, thus act as the
with producers forming the base and top

carnivores the top. The pyramid of energy is Forest (tree) Inverted
always upright.
upright Aquatic (pond) Upright
Pyramid of
143 (d) biomass
There is some sort of relationship between the Grassland Upright
number, biomass and energy contents of the Forest Upright
producers and consumers of different orders in Aquatic (lake) Inverted
any ecosystem. These relationships, when Pyramid of
energy
represented in diagrammatic ways are called
All ecosystems Upright
ecological pyramids. The concept of pyramid was 148 (a)
proposed by Charles Elton (1927) so, they are The process by which humus is further degraded
also called as Eltonian pyramids by some microbes to release inorganic nutrients
144 (c) is called mineralisation
The formula of ecological efficiency is 149 (a)
Energy in biomass production at a trophic level
= The process by which humus is degraded by some
Energy in biomass prodcution at
microbes to release inorganic nutrients is called
prevense trophic level
mineralisation
× 100
150 (d)
We know that plant (producers) convent the
Halophytes (i.e., plants growing in saline soils)
photo energy into chemical energy and according
show the characteristics of xerophytes, e.g., Sueda,
to Lindman rule of energy transfer only 1% of
Tamarix, Atriplex, etc. These characters include
energy will be transferred from one trophic level
succulence, thick cuticle, sunken stomata, high
to other trophic level
osmotic pressure, presence of anthocyanin,
So according to the formula of ecological
tannins, proline and other organic solutes, well
efficiency primary consumer will have less
developed root system etc.
ecological efficiency then secondary consumers
because energy in biomass be production at first 151 (a)
tropical level (i.e., producers level) will more Secondary succession or subsere is ecological
while ecological efficiency of secondary consumer succession that takes place in a recently denuded
will be high then primary consumer because in area which still contains a lot of organic debris,
secondary consumer the energy produced in remains and propagules of previous living
biomass at previous tropical level will be less then organisms. It is more common and caused by
producer level baring of an area due to forest fires, deforestation,
145 (c) excessive overgrazing, landslides, earthquakes,
In tree ecosystem, the pyramid of number is repeated floods, etc. only 50 to 100 years are
inverted because only one tree has many required for establishment of a grassland over a
consumers like birds, insects, etc. recently denuded area. Formation of forest
requires 100 to 200 years.
While in pond, desert and forest ecosystem, the
pyramids of numbers are upright because 152 (c)
producers are large in number. Phytoplanktons are found in littoral zone,
zone which is
shallow water region.
146 (c)
Producers → Primary consumers → Secondary 153 (d)
consumers A primary consumers or herbivores are animals
(Grass) (Zebra) (Lion) which feed on plants or plant products,
147 (a) q. u.,grasshoppers and several other insects,
Ecosystem Shape of rabbit, hare, field mouse, deer, antelope, cow,
Pyramid elephant, zooplankton, tadpoles and some fishes
Pyramid of
154 (d)
number
Burning of wood, forest fire, volcanic activity and
Grassland Upright

combustion of organic matter and fossil fuels area animals communities occurs side by side
are some essential sources for releasing CO: in 162 (a)
the atmosphere Nitrogen cycle.
156 (d) In gaseous cycles, the main reservoirs of chemical
There are certain limitations of ecological are the atmosphere and ocean, q. u.,carbon cycle,
pyramids, they are nitrogen cycle, oxygen cycle, etc.
(i) It do not take into account the same species 163 (d)
belonging to two or more trophic levels (i) Deserts have the lowest primary productivity
(ii) It assumes a simple food chain, whereas in as the soil is deficient in moisture
nature it does not exist (ii) Some plants have more efficiency to trap
(iii) Saprophytes/decomposers are not given any sunlight (sugar cane), so they accumulate more
place in ecological pyramids primary productivity
157 (d) (iii) Productivity is maximum in the coral reefs
The pyramid of energy is always upright because they grow in areas having good light,
whatever will be the case. It represents the total enough warm water and abundant nutrients
amount of energy utilised by different level 164 (a)
organisms in unit area over a period of time Pyramid of energy is a picture of rates of passage
of food mass through the food chain. It is always
upright,
upright as in most of the cases there is always a
gradual decrease in the energy content at
successive trophy levels.
165 (d)
In a food chain a plant is primary producer.
Producers are autotrophic organisms, which
alone are able to manufacture organic food from
inorganic raw materials in the process of
158 (b)
photosynthesis
A good example of succession is the hydrarch
166 (b)
succession or hydrosere succession, in which, a
The highest primary productivity in terms of per
pond and its community are converted into a land
unit area is of estuaries > Swamps and marrhes
community. In their reed swamp stage,
>Tropical rair forest > Temperate forest whicle
amphibious plants grow where the water body
in terms of average would net primary.Production
becomes shallow (0.3-1.0 m), e.g.,Sagittaria.
is of opern ocean > Tropical rain forest >
Juncus shows sedge-medow stage, Salix shows Temperate rainforest > Sauanna > Nothern
woodland stage, while Trapa shows rooted- coniferous forest
floating stage. 167 (c)
Great barrier reef along the North-eastern
159 (a) Australia is an ecosystem. It is about 2000 km
The rate of formation of new organic matter by long and up to 150 km from shore.
consumers is called secondary productivity
160 (c) 168 (a)
Food web is a network of food chains, A much less fraction of energy flows through
interconnected at various trophic levels, so as to grazing food chain in ecosystem terrestrial.
form a number of feeding alternatives amongst Energy for the food chain comes from the sun.
the different organisms of a biotic community. Food chain adds energy into the ecosystem
169 (a)
161 (d) Rain is required for higher primary productivity.
In successive seral stages, there is not only a Desert have the lowest primary productivity as
change in the species diversity of organisms the soil is deficient in moisture
present but there is also an increase in the 170 (c)
number of species. Succession of plants and The ultimate source of entire energy used by

living things in an ecosystem is sunlight. Solar same species), interspecific (i.e., between
energy received by an ecosystem depends on the different species) and extra specific (i.e., between
latitude, slope, cloud cover, air pollutants, etc. individual and its environment).
171 (d)
Climax community is the stable, self perpetuating 181 (d)
and final biotic. Human activities like deforestation and massive
Climax community is the stable, self perpetuating burning of fossil fuel for energy and transport
and final biotic community that develops at the have significantly increased the rate of release of
end of biotic succession and is in perfect harmony CO: into the atmosphere
with the physical environment. It is also termed 182 (b)
as climatic climax community In gaseous cycles, the main reservoirs of chemical
172 (b) are the atmosphere and ocean, q. u.,carbon cycle,
Stratification involves vertical changes, within the nitrogen cycle, oxygen cycle, etc.
community. Stratification in a forest community 183 (d)
(especially tropical forests) is most complicated, Producers constitute the first trophic level or base
where as many as five vertical sub-divisions may of a food chain. Producers are autotrophic
be recognized, i.e., subterranean sub-division, organisms, which alone are able to manufacture
forest floor, herbaceous vegetation, shrubs and organic food from inorganic raw materials in the
trees. process of photosynthesis
184 (a)
174 (c) Stability is the power of a system to be in their
Only 10% of the herbivore productivity is utilised state against unfavourable factor. Resilience is
for raising productivity of primary carnivores. the capability of regaining its original shape or
The rest is consumed in ingestion, respiration, position after being deformed. Hence, it has low
maintenance of body heat and retain only 10% of stability and high resilience.
energy present in primary carnivores. It is called
10% law which was proposed by Lindeman, 1942 185 (a)
175 (a) Productivity of tropical rainforest is highest. The
Ecological succession is directional because tropical rain forest covering 300,000 km: area.
succession proced in a direction and periodical. They contain more than 50% of total flora and
Primary succession is a biotic succession that fauna of the world.
occurs on a previously sterile or primarily bare 186 (a)
area, q. u.,newly exposed sea floor igneous rocks,
In a pond ecosystem, producers include
sand dunes, new cooled lava sediment, etc. phytoplankton (e.g., diatoms, Chlorella, Spirogyra,
176 (c) Chlamydomonas, etc), free floating
At 40° North and South, the heat gain through macrophytes(e.g.,Lemna, Azolla), suspended
insolation approximately equals to the heat loss macrophytes(e.g., Utricularia, Hydrilla),
through terrestrial radiation. submerged plants (Vallisneria), floating leaved
177 (d) plants (e.g., Nelumbo), emergent plants
Herbivores (plant-eating animals) are depends (Sagittaria) etc.
upon producers (plant) so, rabbits are herbivores 187 (c)
179 (b) Both (a) and (b).
Pyramid of number is used to know how many An ecosystem may be defined as a structural and
organisms are present at each level of a food functional unit of the biosphere, comprising living
chain organisms and their non-living environment that
180 (c) interact by means of food chains and chemical
For food, light and space, the greatest competition cycles resulting in energy flow, biotic diversity
is between two closely related species of same and material cycling to form a stable, self-
niche. Struggle for existence (competition) may supporting system
be intraspecific (i.e., between individuals of the 188 (a)

Population of two or more species, whose inorganic nutrients go down into the soil horizon
geographical ranges or distribution concide or and get precipitated as unavailable salts
overlap are known as sympatric species.
species 195 (a)
Climate.
Allopatric species occupy different vertical zones Climax community is the stable, self perpetuating
in the same geographical area. and final biotic community that develops at the
Parapatric species do not overlap but continuous, end of biotic succession and is in perfect harmony
i.e., touch each other. with the physical environment. It is also termed
as climatic climax community
Ring species are characterized by circular or 196 (a)
looped geographical distribution. A population consists of organisms of a particular
species and has characteristics like natality,
189 (b) mortality, age structure growth dynamics, etc.
In a grassland ecosystem, a larger number of When several populations share a common
grass plants or herbs support a fewer number of habitat and its resources, they interact among
grasshoppers that support a still smaller number themselves and develop into a biotic community.
of frogs, the latter still smaller number of snakes Hence, community is a larger unit than a
and the snakes very few peacocks or falcons population.
197 (d)
The end result of decomposition is the production
of dark brown, smelling, humus rich organic
matter and inorganic substance like carbon
dioxide, water and nutrients
198 (a)
190 (c) In sedimentary cycle, the main reservoirs are soil
Buried or cut forest already has soil humus and and rocks, q. u.,sulphur cycle, phosphorus cycle,
some vegetation (underground stems). So in etc.
buried or cut forest, succession is easy and is 199 (c)
completed A certain mass of living material at each trophic
191 (a) level of an ecosystem at a particular time is called
Each trophic level has a certain mass of living standing crop.
crop The standing crop is measured as
material at a particular time called the standing the mass of living organisms (biomass) or the
crop. The standing crop is measured as the number in a unit area.
biomass of living organisms (biomass), as the 201 (a)
number in a unit area Vertical distribution of different species
192 (b) occupying different levels is called stratification,
We know that plant only utilisexd 1-2% of total q. u.,in a forest ecosystem, trees occupy top
energy incident on earth. In the given dustion vertical strata or layer, shrubs the second and
100000 Kcal/m: /yr salar radiation is incident on herbs and grasses occupy the bottom layers
earth. So plant producer utilize 1% of 100000 202 (b)
kcal m: /yr and that 1% is Phytoplankton → Submerged plant stage A →
100000 × 1 Submerged free floating plant stage B → Read
= = 1000 kcal/m: /yr swamp stage C → Marsh-meadow stage → Scrub
100
And from produces to the next level only 10% stage D → Forest plant stage
Pzzz×Pz 203 (d)
will goes, so = 100 kcal/m: /yr will be
Pzz
Pioneer community is the Ist biotic community,
transferred to primary consumer which is called
which develops in barren area. Pioneer
secondary production
community is established over a previously bare
194 (b)
area
By the process of leaching, water-soluble
204 (a)

Plant can utilises 1.% (0.01) of total incident human beings, is called artificial or man-made
radiation green all plant utilises 1-2% of total ecosystem. Some examples of man-made
incident radiation sugar can is the most efficient ecosystem are aquarium, garden, agriculture,
crop which utilises the 5% of total incident apiary, poultry, piggery etc.
radiation into photosynthetic product
205 (d) 211 (c)
2-10%. PAR – Photosynthetically Active Radiation. The
Out of the total incident solar radiation, only 50% sum is the only source of energy for all
of it is Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR). ecosystems on earth. Out of the total incident
Plants capture only 2-10% of the PAR and this solar radiation, only 50% of it is
small amount of energy sustains the entire living photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR)
world Plantscapture only 2-10% of the PAR and this
206 (d) small amount of energy sustains the entire living
Homeostasis or state of equilibrium or balance of world. So, there is unidirectional flow of energy
nature is maintained through a number of from the sun to producers and then to consumer
controls like carrying capacity self regulation and 212 (c)
feedback system The sunlight directly regulates the primary
207 (d) productivity because the plants perform
Trophic levels are the divisions or levels of food photosynthesis with the help of sunlight. The
chain characterized by specific method of amount of biomass or organic matter produced
obtaining food (and energy). per unit area over a time period in plants during
photosynthesis is called primary production
208 (a) 213 (c)
Sulphur cycle. The nutrient reservoir meets the deficit arising
In sedimentary cycle, the main reservoirs are soil due to imbalance in the rate of influx and efflux of
and rocks, q. u.,sulphur cycle, phosphorus cycle, nutrient
etc. 214 (b)
209 (c) Gause’s hypothesis was restated by Hardin (1960)
The successive development of different biotic as the competitive exclusion principle which in its
communities at the same site till a climax simplest form states that “complete competitors
community develops there, is called ecological cannot coesist”. Both having the same needs to
succession (Hutt; 1885). The species that invade survive works as competitors. Most populations
a bare area are celled pioneer species.
species In primary are regulated by competition, primarily for food.
succession on rocks (xerarch succession) these 215 (b)
are usually lichens which are able to secrete acids According to Odum (1983), ecosystem has six
(lichenic acid) to dissolve rock, helping in components, in which abiotic components almost
weathering and soil formation. These later pave similar in every ecosystem.
way to some very small plants like bryophytes
(e.g., Mosses) which are able to take hold in the (i) Abiotic components
small amount of soil. (a) Inorganic substances
Secondary succession or subsere is a biotic C, N, S, K, CO: , H: O, temperature, humidity,
succession on a secondarily bare area, e.g., burned soil light, pressure, etc.
forests, area after deforestation. It takes 50-100
years (for grassland) and 100-200 years(for (b) Organic substances
forest). Ferns are generally the first to grow after
the forest fire because of their underground Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, etc.
rhizomes.
(ii) Biotic components
210 (b)
Producers, macroconsumers,
An ecosystem, which is created and maintained by

microconsumers. produced per unit area over a time period in
plants during photosynthesis is called primary
216 (c) production. It is expressed in the terms of weight
The transfer of energy from producers to top (g O: ) or energy (kcal mO: )
consumers through a series of organisms is called 223 (b)
food chain. It is always straight and proceed in a The energy level in a trophic level is not
progressive straight line. In a food chain, the determined by considering individuals of a
maximum population is of producers species in that trophic level.
217 (c) 224 (d)
Producers → Primary consumers → Secondary Primary consumers are herbivorous animals,
consumers which obtain their food from green
(Grain) (Chicken) (Man) photosynthetic plants (i.e., producers). Insects
218 (a) and cattle are primary consumers.
Pyramid of energy is never inverted because in
each ecosystem producers are green plants, which 225 (c)
prepare their own food in the process of The amount of living matter in an ecosystem is
photosynthesis and thus, trap maximum solar known as biomass. It is measured both as fresh
energy. In herbivores, only 10% of energy of and dry weight
plants transfer and rest 90% is itself used by the 226 (c)
plants and some loss as heat. Further, primary The amount of biomass or organic matter
carnivores take only 10% of energy from produced per unit area over a time period in
herbivores, i.e., 1% of plants. In this way, energy plants during photosynthesis is called primary
percentage becomes reduced in next higher production. Primary productivity depends upon
trophic levels. This 10% flow of energy from one photosynthetic capacity of plants and nutrient
trophic level to the next is called 10 percent law of availability
Lindemann. 227 (a)
Producer are also called as tranducer because
219 (d) they are able to change radiant energy into
Biomes are climatically and geographically chemical form. Consumers are animals which feed
defined as similar climatic conditions on the on other organisms or their parts. Consumer
earth, such as communities of plants, animals and ingest their food. Decomposers are saprophytes
soil organisms. A biome has a certain set of which feed on dead bodies of organisms. The
characteristics. There are seven kinds of biomes decomposer organisms secrete digestive enzymes
in the world-tundra, taiga, temperate forests, to digest the organic matter externally
deserts, grassland and ocean. 228 (d)
220 (a) Only 10% of the herbivore productivity is utilized
Pyramid of number is a graphic representation of for raising productivity of primary carnivores.
the number of individuals per unit area of various The rest is consumed in ingestion, respiration,
trophic levels stepwise with producers being kept maintenance of body heat and other activities
at the base and top carnivores kept at the top. In 229 (a)
most cases, the pyramid of number is upright with A-Amorphous, B-Humus, C-Humification
members of successive higher trophic level being 230 (d)
fewer than the previous one. The maximum Autogenic succession (auto-self, genic-generate) is
number of individuals occur at the producer level.
level the modification and development of new
environment made by the community itself such
221 (d) that the community makes its own replacement
The exchange pool in the carbon cycle is the by new communities. The changed environment
atmosphere in the gaseous cycle (carbon cycle) is now favourable for new community.
the reservoir is the atmosphere
222 (c) 232 (c)
The amount of biomass or organic matter The percentage of energy converted into biomass

by a higher trophic level over the energy of food through the grazing food chain. Energy for the
resources available at the lower trophic level is food chain comes from organic remain or detritus
called ecological efficiency. It is also called 240 (d)
Lindemann’s trophic efficiency rule. The decomposition rate is slow if detritus is rich
in cellulose, lignin and chitin
Energy converted into
biomass at trophic level 241 (b)
EE = × 100
Energy present in biomass Food web (i.e., network of food chains
at lower trophic level interconnected at various trophic levels) is meant
233 (d) for increasing the stability of an ecosystem by
The components of an ecosystem may be divided providing alternate sources of food.
into two main types, i.e., Biotic component 242 (b)
comprising the various kinds of living organisms When a person consumes curd/yoghurt, it would
and Abiotic component consisting of be considered in the top or apex (i.e., 2nd trophic
environmental factors level) of detritus food chain. Yoghurt or curd is a
commercial fermented dairy product. It is
produced by a starter culture of Streptococcus
thermophiles and Lactobacillus in 1 : 1 ratio at
40 − 60℃ and then partial fermentation by yeast.
Streptococcus produced acid and Lactobacillus
forms aroma.
234 (a) 243 (a)

Detritus Food Chain (DFC) begins with detritus or A-Biotic, B-Abiotic, C-Decomposers, D-
dead organic matter. Detrivores and decomposers Photoautotrophs, E-Chemoautotrophs
feed over it 244 (a)
In a grassland ecosystem, the number of
producers is more than the number of top
235 (b) carnivores, whereas in case of a tree, the number
The rate of formation of new organic matter by of producers is less as compared to consumers
consumers is called secondary productivity 245 (d)
236 (a) Phosphorus is needed for the production of DNA
The sequence of communities showing a gradual and RNA, cellular membranes, bones and teeth
change in composition called continuum (Curtis
Curtis; 246 (d)
Curtis
1959). (i) The term ‘ecosystem’ was coined by Sir AG
Tansley (1935) to describe the whole complex of
237 (a) living organisms living together as a sociological
Small phytoplanktons → Free floating units and their habitats
angiosperms → Rooted hydrophytes → Sedges → (ii) The entire biosphere is referred to as global
Grasses → Trees ecosystem, which consists of several local
238 (b) ecosystems of earth. The size of the ecosystem
Zooplanktons are the microscopic animals that varies from small pond to a large forest or sea
feed on the phytoplanktons in an aquatic (iii) Vertical distribution of different species
ecosystem. These are truely herbivorous and occupying different levels is called stratification,
form the second trophic level (primary q. u.,in a forest ecosystem, trees occupy top
consumers) equivalent to cows in grasslands. vertical layer, shrubs the second and herbs and
grasses occupy the bottom layers
239 (a) 247 (a)
Organic remain. Producers → Herbivores → Carnivores
A much larger fraction of energy flows in aquatic (Grass) (Cow) (Human)
ecosystem through the graizing food chain than 248 (d)

Biological membrane, nucleic acids and cellular hydrosere are :
energy transfer systems.
Phytoplanktons → Submerged plant stage A → stage e.g., Some blue-green
(i) Phytoplankton stage,
Submerged free floating plant stage B → Read algae, green algae (Volvox), diatoms and bacteria,
swamp stage C → Marsh-meadow stage → Scrub etc.
stage D → Forest plant stage (ii)Rooted stage e.g., Hydrilla,
Rooted submerged stage,
249 (a) Vallisneria, etc.
Net Primary Productivity (NPP) is the weight of
organic matter stored by producers in a unit stage e.g., Nelumbo, Nymphaea, etc.
(iii) Floating stage,
area/volume per unit time. NPP is equal to the Some free floating species are Pistia, Azolla,
rate of organic matter created by photosynthesis Lemna, etc.
minus the rate of respirations and other losses.
Stored biomass is transferred from one trophic (iv) Red- swampstage e.g., Species of Scirpus,
Red-swampstage,
level to another trophic level. Typha, etc.
251 (d)
(v) Sedge-
Sedge-meadow stage,
stage e.g., Species of
In a grazing food chain carnivores like frog, etc
Cyperaeae and Gramineae.
are referred to as secondary consumers, which
feed on herbivores (primary consumers). stage e.g., Lantana, Salix, Populus,
(vi) Woodland stage,
Secondary consumers constitute third trophic etc.
level of the food chain.
252 (a) (vii) Forest stage,
stage e.g., Tropical rain forests, mixed
Biomass is the living or organic matter of living forests of Almus, Acer, Quercus (oak), tropical
organisms, in terms of weight, present at any deciduous forests.
given time in the environment. In a food chain, it
257 (b)
can be depicted by pyramid of biomass, which is
Food web
upright in terrestrial ecosystem and inverted in
Producers
aquatic ecosystem.
259 (d)
253 (b) Ecological efficiency or trophic level efficiency
Insectivorous plants are autotrophs as they have refers to the percentage of energy converted into
chlorophyll. They don’t eat insects for food, but biomass by a higher trophic level over the energy
use them as a source of N and P and use light to of food resources available at the lower trophic
transform them into biomolecules level. The formula is as follows :
254 (b)
Ecological efficiency=
Low temperature and anaerobiosis inhibit
decomposition. Decomposition is mainly an Energy in biomass production
aerobic process at trophic level
× 100
In aquatic ecosystem GFC is the major conduit for Energy in biomass production
energy flow. As against this in a terrestrial at previous trophic level
ecosystem much larger fraction of energy flows
261 (c)
through the DFC. Dry weight is more accurate
The functional aspect of ecosystem is
255 (b)
productivity, decomparition, energy flow and
The rate at which organic compounds are formed
nutrient cycling
in a green plants or in a population of green plants
Productivity Plant synthesis food with input of
per unit time and area is known as the gross
solar energy
primary productivity. It is usually measured as an
Decomposition It is the process by which complex
increase in the stored energy or an increase in the
organic into organic substances
biomass. GPP is utilised by plants in respiration
Energy flow It is the process by which energy
256 (b)
stored by plant transferred to the other trophic
The various stages in a hydrosere are well studied
level and at each trophic level energy is disputed
in ponds, pools or lakes. The various stages of

into atmosphere in different form and in an characterized by the presence of species of both
ecosystem final trophic level is of decomposer, the communities.
which degrade the complex organic matter in to
simple compound so energy flow maintain the 271 (b)
integrity of ecosystem Primary Productivity (PP) is defined as the rate at
Nutrient cycling The movement of nutrient which radiant energy is converted by the
element through various component of an photosynthetic and chemosynthetic autotrophs to
ecosystem is called nutrient cycling organic substances
262 (a) 272 (a)
The transfer of energy from producers to top Maximum amount of energy is present in
consumers through a series of organisms is called producers (at first trophic level) and goes on
food chain. One organism holds only one position. decreasing as one moves up the food chain.
The flow of energy can be easily calculated. It is 273 (d)
always straight and proceeds in a progressive The amount of living matter present in an
straight line. Competition is limited to the ecosystem is known as biomass. It is upright in
members of same trophic level case of a tree, which supports a large number of
263 (d) birds and inverted in a pond, where a large fish
Out of the total incident solar radiation, only 50% eats upon a large number of phytoplanktons
of it is Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR). 274 (c)
Plants capture only 2-10% of the PAR and this A climax community is stable, self perpetuating
small amount of energy sustains the entire living and final biotic community that develops at the
world end of biotic succession and is in perfect harmony
264 (d) with the physical environment. It has maximum
Tectonagrandis is a vegetation of tropical moist diversity and niche specialization.
deciduous forests.
275 (d)
265 (c) Producers → Herbivores → Carnivores
Pyramid of energy is the graphic representation of (Grass) (Rabbit) (Hawk)
the amount of energy trapped per unit time and 277 (a)
area in different trophic levels of a food chain 4 × 10PR kg
from producers to top carnivores. Pyramid of 278 (a)
energy is a true pyramid as it is always upright. Succession levels in xerarch (xerosere/lithosere)
267 (b) are :
The 10% energy transfer law of food chain is best (i) Lichen stage, e.g., Crustose lichens followed by
known as Lindemann’s law of trophic efficiency.
efficiency It foliose lichens.
was given by Lindemann.
Lindemann It states that the
efficiency of energy transfer from one trophic (ii) Moss stage, e.g., Tortula, Polytrichum
level to the next is about 10%.
(iii) Annual grass stage, e.g., Cymbopogon
269 (c)
In early stages of plant
plant succession,
succession photosynthesis (iv) Perennial herb and shrub stage, e.g., Rubus,
is more than respiration (P > R) and in climax Capparis, Zizyphus.
stage,
stage huge respiration of living biomass occurs
(v) Climax community, e.g., Forests with herbs,
and (P / R = 1) or, photosynthesis is equal to
shrubs and trees.
respiration (P = R). So, net productivity becomes
stable, when climax stage is reached in plant 280 (a)
succession. During weathering of rocks, minute amount of
phosphates dissolve in soil solution and are
270 (a)
absorbed by plant producer through roots
Ecotone is the area of transition between two
282 (a)
biotic communities or ecosystems. Ecotone is

Temperate zone is at ~• − €•° latitude with mixed A-Deer, B-Frog, C-Foxes, D-Sparrow
coniferous forests. Annual temperature is 291 (d)
7 − 17℃. The pyramid of biomass is inverted in a pond
ecosystem, where a large fish eats upon a large
Sub-
Sub-tropical zone is at •• − ~•° latitude with sub- number of small phytoplanktons
tropical deciduous forests. Mean annual The pyramid of energy is always upright because
temperature is 17 − 24℃. the flow energy is unidirectional
283 (c) Pyramid of number is inverted in a tree
Climatic conditions like temperature, moisture ecosystem. In case of a tree, the number of
and chemical composition affects the rate of producers is less compared to consumers
decomposition Pyramid of biomass is upright in case of a tree
284 (d) which supports a large number of small birds
Pyramid of energy. 292 (c)
The pyramid of energy is always upright because Plants, which are attached to the rocks are called
energy is always loss as heat at each step. It lithophytes
represents the total amount of energy utilised by 294 (a)
different trophic level organisms in unit area over The pyramid of energy is always upright because
a period of time energy is always loss as heat at each step. It
285 (c) represents the total amount of energy utilised by
Decomposers are heterotrophs and saprotrophs, different trophic level organisms in unit area over
which feeds on dead bodies of organisms and a period of time
organic wastes of living organisms. These are 295 (c)
mainly bacteria and fungi of decay Ecological succession is a sequence of series from
286 (c) baren land to the climax. In ecological terms, the
Ecosystem composed of biotic (living) and abiotic developmental stages of a community are known
(non-living) component. Biotic component as seral stages and the final stage as the climax
includes producers, consumers and detritivores. community. The change is orderly and sequential.
The producers and detritivores are absolutely It is a long term process
essential functional component of the ecosystem. 296 (c)
287 (c) Transfer of food energy from the producers
Pioneer community. through a series of organisms with repeated
Primary succession on rocks starts with lichen of eating and being eaten is known as food chain.
chain
species Rhizocarpon, Rinodina and Lecanora. Producers utilize the solar energy and
They produce some acids which bring about transformed it to chemical form (ATP) during
weathering of rocks. These lichens are then photosynthesis.
replaced by foliose type of lichens. Due to 297 (a)
description and retention of water by them, they Gross primary productivity.
from a fine thin soil layer on rock surface and thus The rate at which organic compounds are formed
there, is a change in the habitat in a green plants or in a population of green plants
288 (d) per unit time and area is known as the gross
Green plants → Insects → Frog → Snakes primary productivity. It is usually measured as an
→ Peacock. increase in the stored energy or an increase in the
From the above food chain, it is clear that the biomass. GPP is utilised by plants in respiration
peacock stands at the top. 298 (a)
An energy link
289 (a) 299 (a)
Bacterial and fungal enzymes degrade detritus Only about 10% is stored at higher trophic level
into simpler inorganic substances. This process is and the remaining 90% is lost in respiration,
called catabolism decomposition and waste in the form of heat.
290 (a) Suppose 2000 J of solar energy is incident on

green vegetation. The latter having about 1% Obviously the primary consumers will be
efficiency, trap about 20 J of energy and convent it herbivores.
herbivores Some common herbivores are insects,
into chemical energy by photosynthesis birds and mammals in terrestrial ecosystem and
The remaining 1980 J would be lost to the molluscs in aquatic system. Thus, primary
environment. The herbivore that feed on consumers belong to the second trophic level.
producers get 10% of the energy stored in plants, 307 (d)
i.e., 2 J. The remaining 18 J are lost to the Phytoplanktons are passively floating microscopic
environment. Carnivores feeding on herbivores animals like, Algae protozoan and cyanobacteria.
would be able to store only 0.2 J of energy as flow They drift with water current
308 (a)
Nitrogen and carbon cycle.
In gaseous cycles, the main reservoirs of chemical
are the atmosphere and ocean, q. u.,carbon cycle,
nitrogen cycle, oxygen cycle, etc.
309 (c)
300 (c)
Since there is no penetration of effective light to
Trophic level is a step or division of food chain
profundal zone, there are no photosynthetic
which is characterised by the method of obtaining
organisms and hence, consumers depend for their
its food. The number of trophic levels is equal to
food on limnetic and littoral zones. In littoral
the number of steps in a food chain
zone, the main producers are phytoplanktons,
algae and other hydrophytes. In limnetic zone,
the main producers are diatonms, cyanobacteria
dinoflagellates, Euglenidae and Volvocidae.
310 (b)
302 (a) Second stage of hydrosere is occupied by
Climax community is stable and is in equilibrium submerged aquatic plants, q. u., Hydrilla,
with the environment Vallisneria. The third stage has free floating
303 (c) plants, q. u., Azolla (floating aquatic fern). The
The rate of biomass production per unit area over fourth stage is reed swamp plants like typha, salix
a time period by plants during photosynthesis is includes deciduous trees and shrubs, which
called productivity. It is expressed in g O: yr OP or constitute the sixth (wood land stage) and climax
(k cal mO: )yr OP stages
304 (a) 312 (c)
Warm and moist environment favour Herbivores are primary consumers, they are
decomposition. Low temperature and mainly depend on the plants for their food needs.
anaerobiosis inhibit decomposition If a single plant species is removed, then they
305 (d) have to find new or other food sources.
The rate at which organic compounds are formed 313 (d)
in a green plants or in a population of green plants Food chain starts with photosynthesis. The green
per unit time and area is known as the gross plants always occupy first level in any given food
primary productivity. It is usually measured as an chain and are commonly termed as the primary
increase in the stored energy or an increase in the producers
biomass. GPP is utilised by plants in respiration 314 (b)
306 (d) Ecosystem is composed of biotic components and
All animals depend on plants directly or indirectly abiotic (non-living) components. The biotic
for their food needs. They are hence, called components of forest ecosystem are primary
consumers and also heterotrophs.
heterotrophs If they feed on consumers (e.g., rabbit, moles, deer, squirrels,
the producer, the plants (belonging to the first grasshoppers, etc), secondary consumers (e.g.,
trophic level), they are called primary consumers. carnivorous, birds, snake, lizard, etc) and

decomposers (fungi and bacteria). In tropical and 323 (c)
subtropical forests, rate of decomposition is more The ultimate source of energy for biosphere is
rapid than temperate. solar energy, which is captured by producers
(green plants) through photosynthesis and stored
315 (a) in organic compounds. The stored energy in the
Solar energy is the ultimate source of energy in form of food is transferred from producers to
the ecosystem. The pyramid of energy is always herbivores and then to carnivores.
upright.
324 (a)
316 (b) A complex of several types of communities (some
Lithosere is a type of xerosere originating on bare in complex stage and others in different stages of
rock surfaces. The original substratum is succession) maintained under more or less
deficient in water and lacks any organic matter similar climatic conditions is known as biome.
having only minerals in disintegrated Various types of biomes are tundra, north
unweathered state. The pioneer vegetation is, coniferous forest, deciduous forest, tropical rain
therefore, lichens. forest chapparal, tropical savanna, grassland and
317 (c) deserts.
Benthic organisms are found in the bottom of sea. 325 (b)
318 (c) Decomposers decomposes the dead organic

The raw materials for decomposition including matter to release them back for reuse by the
dead plant and animal remains and their faecal autotrophs, q. u.,bacteria, fungi, protozoans,
matter are called detritus worms, etc.
Organisms, which breakdown detritus into matter 326 (d)
particles called detritivores. These include The pyramid of energy is always upright for any
earthworm, termites, vulture, fly larvae, etc. ecosystem.
319 (b) This situation indicates that, the
Biotic community is defined as an assemblage of
population that functions as an integrative unit (i) Producers have the highest energy conversion
through coevolved metabolic transformation in a efficiency
prescribed area of physical habitat.
(ii) Herbivores have a better energy conversion
320 (c) efficiency then carnivores
Decomposers (saprotrophs) are the organisms
that breakdown complex organic matter into (iii) Carnivores have better energy conversion
inorganic substances and in doing, so they efficiency than top-carnivore.
carryout the natural process of decomposition 327 (a)
321 (a) The term ecosystem development was given to
Micro-climate is the climate of immediate ecological succession by Odum.
surroundings of some phenomena on the surface
of the earth, particularly around plants and 328 (b)
groups of plants. It helps in the growth of Organism are classified into trophic levels
terrestrial pteridophytes in tropical rain forest. according to the source of their nutrients
329 (c)
322 (a) According to 10% low in the following food chain
Detritus food chain goes from dead organic grasses → deer → tiger if tiger have 10 kg biomass
matter to microbes and then to detritus-feeding then Deer will have 10 time of this and grasses
organisms and their predators. These organisms will have 10 times of deer. Biomass because
are called detrivours, e.g., bacteria, fungi, energy produced into biomass at one trophic.
protozoans, insects, crustaceans, annelids, worms, level cense only transferred 10% of this
etc. 331 (d)

Both lion (carnivore) and sparrow (herbivore) Use of energy in food
AE = × 100
are consumers. The Asteroidea occupy several Energy obtained through food
important roles throughout ecology and biology.
Sea stars, such as Ochre star (Pisarterochraceus) 341 (c)
have become widely known as the example of the The term ecosystem was given by Tansley (1935).
keystone species concept in ecology. Most species 342 (d)
are generalist predators, eating molluscs such as Decomposers are saprotrophic microorganisms
clams, oysters etc. which feed on dead bodies of organisms and
333 (b) organic wastes of living organisms. These are
Net primary productivity is the weight of the most diverse organisms of an ecosystem.
organic matter stored by the producers in a unit 343 (b)
area/volume for unit time. It is given by NPP = The primary succession occurs in the barren
GPP – R (Gross Primary Productivity) where, R = soilless, uninhabited regions such as igneous rock
Respiration losses. It is utilised by hetertrophs emerged from the sea, lava deposit, sand dune,
334 (d) newly created pond or reservoir
The climate features of tropical deciduous forests 344 (a)
are warm summers, cold winters, and well-spaced Incorrect food chain Grass → Frog → Vulture
rainfall amounting to about 75-100 cm per year. 345 (c)
In India, these forests possess important trees of The term ‘niche’ was for the first time used by
genera such as Terminalia, Tectona (teak), Grinnel (1971) to explain micro-habitats.
Dalbergia(sisham), Shorea (sal) and Acacia. According to him ‘niche’ is the ultimate
These are very important timber trees. distributional unit, within which each species is
335 (a) held by its structural and instinctive limitation.
Gross primary productivity is the rate of Actually niche is the complete account of how an
production of organic matter during organism uses its environment. Thus, plant lice
photosynthesis in an ecosystem (aphids) and leaf is the pair correctly
336 (d) representing the organism and its ecological
According to 10% law 10% of herbivore’s niche.
chemical energy is transferred to carnivore’s 346 (b)
chemical energy. According to 10% law Pyramid of biomass.
337 (a) The amount of living matter present in an
Upper layer of soil. ecosystem is known as biomass. It is upright in
Decomposition is the process of breaking down a case of tree, which supports a large number of
substance into its constituent parts. birds and inverted in a pond where a large fish
Decomposition of dead organic matter (plants, feeds upon a large number of phytoplanktons
animals and waste products of animals) occurs in 347 (a)
nature and it is also called decay or putrification. The pyramid of numbers deal with the number of
In a terrestrial ecosystem, the upper layer of soil primary producers and consumers. It is upright in
is the main site of decomposition a grassland and inverted in a tree ecosystem. In a
338 (c) grassland the number of producers is more than
Plant → Deer → Python the number of top carnivores, whereas in case of a
Plant → Grasshopper → Frog tree, the number of producers is less as compared
Plant → Goat → Lion to consumers
Plant → Goat → Python 348 (a)
Plant → Deer → Lion Stratification is more common in tropical
340 (d) rainforest. Stratification occurs vertically and
Assimilatory efficiency is the percentage of food determined by height of organisms
energy assimilated for body building to total food For example, in a forest community, stratification
ingested. So, the formula takes place when trees of different species grow
to different heights
349 (c) Three main types of environmental zones are
Major zones in fresh water body as lake are : recognized in the ocean basin
(i) Littoral zone Sea floor in the region of
(i) Littoral zone is the uppermost zone, which is continental shelf.
shallow-water region. (ii) Benthonic zone Sea floor along continental
(ii) Limnetic zone is an open-water zone to depth, slope, aphotic and abyssal zones.
where effective light can penetrate, it is the chief (iii) Pelagic zone Water of the ocean.
‘producing region’ in lakes. 357 (a)
In an ecosystem, biological equilibrium or a
(iii) Profundal zone is zone of bottom and deep balance is found between producers, consumers
water area, where effective light cannot and decomposers. An ecosystem should always
penetrate. It is found to be absent in ponds. maintain this balance. If primary consumers in an
ecosystem are absent, then producers will be
(iv) Benthic zone is deep oceanic zone, which is increased in number and will create over-
cold, dark and devoid of producer organisms. crowding. It results in competition and
Benthos are either detritus feeders or carnivores. consequently number of producers will decrease
to near normal.
350 (b)
The process of breaking down of detritus into 358 (b)
smaller particles is called fragmentation, q. u.,as Heterotrophs.
done by earthworm Net primary productivity is the weight of the
351 (d) organic matter stored by the producers in a unit
The major reservoir for phosphorus is in area/volume for unit time. It is given by NPP =
phosphate rocks and fossil bone deposits laid GPP – R (Gross Primary Productivity) where, R =
down in the past geological ages. There is no Respiration losses. It is utilised by hetertrophs
atmospheric phase in the phosphorus cycle 359 (b)
Phosphorus becomes available in the soil for Lichen→ Small bryophytes → Herb → Shrubs →
plants use by natural erosion of rocks and by Tress → Forest
human efforts 360 (c)
Plants takes up phosphorus form the soil. Animals Another name of nutrient cycle is biogeochemical
get it from the plants directly or through other cycle. The movement of nutrient elements
smaller animals. Animals excrete phosphorus through various components (abiotic and biotic)
mainly as phosphates, which the plants can use of an ecosystem is called nutrient cycling or
immediately biogeochemical cycle
352 (b) 361 (b)
71% of the carbon is found dissolved in oceans, Pyramid of energy is graphic representation of
which is responsible for its regulation in energy per unit area sequence-wise in various
atmosphere rising trophic levels with producers at the base
354 (d) and top carnivores at the apex. Pyramid of energy
Phytoplanktons, diatoms and dinoflagellates are is upright in all cases. It is also more accurate
the dominant producers in the world’s oceans. than other types of ecological pyramids.
Diatoms tend to dominate in Northern waters, 362 (c)
while dinoflagellates are quite common in sub- Ecotone is the transition zone between two
tropical and tropical waters. ecosystems. Ecotone is the zone of distribution of
355 (d) organisms across the boundaries of which the
individuals of a species becomes progressively
Temperate needle-shaped (coniferous) torests
are the coniferous forests occurring at an altitude fewer, less productive and sometimes smaller.
of 1700-3000 m. Major trees of this area are
various species of Pinus. Cedrusand Cupressus.
356 (b)


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USE GANEET CODE FOR 10% OFF ON PLUS SUBSCRIPTION

Single Correct Answer Type

1. Which ecosystem has the highest gross primary productivity

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Identifies & of ' and select correct options

This type represents

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a) A-Bulbul, B-Snake, C-Monkey b) A-Beetle, B-Lizard, C-Praying mantis

a) A-Weathering, B-Decomposition, C-Consumer, D-Soil

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a) Pyramid of number in tree ecosystem b) Pyramid of biomass in tree ecosystem

Which of the following is the logical sequence of primary succession in water?

a) Pyramid of number in parasitic food chain b) Pyramid of biomass in forest ecosystem

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a) A-Biotic, B-Abiotic, C-Autotrophs, D-Heterotrophs, E-Detritivores

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I. 10 kcal/m: /yrII. 100 kcal/m: /yr

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a) Uncertain b) 100 kcal/m: /yr c) 10 kcal/m: /yr d) 110 kcal/m: /yr

Choose the correct option for &, ', (, ) and *

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This type represents

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a) A-Deer, B-Frog, C-Foxes, D-Sparrow b) A-Dog, B-Squirrel, C-Deer, D-Hawks

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This type represents

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a) A- Limnetic zone B-Profundal zone C-Littoral zone D-Benthic zone

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: HINTS AND SOLUTIONS :

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234 (a) 243 (a)

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318 (c) Decomposers decomposes the dead organic

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