Question

The amount of nutrients, such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium present in the soil at any given time, is referred as

• A. Standing crop
• B. Climax community
• C. Climax
• D. Standing state

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Standing state

The correct option is D.

Explanation for the correct option:

1. Standing state is the amount of inorganic material found in the environment. It can be carbon, phosphorous, nitrogen, etc. The non-living matter is represented by a standing state.
2. It circulates between living and non-living and its formation and replenishment are in a cyclic manner.

Explanation for the incorrect option:

Option A

1. Standing crop is defined as the total biomass and its component present in the ecosystem at any given time.
2. It includes all the living or organic matter, It can be total plants, fishes in the water, etc. This may vary according to environmental and anthropogenic activities.

Option B

1. Climax community is the final stage of succession in which a balance is struck between biotic and abiotic factors.
2. It remains stable if not destructed by human actions.
3. These have a great diversity of species and the exchange of energy is also highly complex in form of food webs.

Option C

1. Climax is the ultimate stage of biological succession in which plants and animals remain in a steady state.
2. It is the concept of explaining climax community.

Final answer: The amount of nutrients, such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium present in the soil at any given time, is referred to as the standing state.