Question

Which one of the following is not a functional component of the ecosystem?

• A. Productivity
• B. Energy flow
• C. Stratification
• D. Decomposition

Answer 1

The correct option is C Stratification

Continuous interactions between the living and non-living components of a habitat result in the formation of a self-sustained stable unit known as the ecosystem. Ecosystem has both structure and function.

Stratification is a structural component of the ecosystem. The vertical distribution of various species occupying different levels is called stratification. For example, in the forest ecosystem, the top vertical strata or layer of a forest is occupied by trees, shrubs occupy the second layer and the bottom layers are occupied by herbs and grasses.

Productivity, energy flow and decomposition are functional components of an ecosystem.

• Productivity: the rate at which the organic matter/biomass is produced per unit area of an ecosystem, is known productivity. Productivity at the level of producers is called primary productivity. Secondary productivity is the rate per unit area production of the organic matter by consumers.
• Energy flow: the flow of energy from the sun through the successive trophic levels is called energy flow. Sunlight is the ultimate source of energy for all ecosystems. It is trapped, utilised and introduced in the food chain by photosynthetic organisms to prepare food. These are called producers upon which other organisms called the consumers depend for their food requirements. The producers and consumers of an ecosystem occupy different levels at which they obtain food. These levels are known as trophic levels. The producers form the first trophic level. The primary consumers (herbivores) that directly feed on the producers form the second trophic level. The third trophic level is composed of the secondary consumers who feed on the primary consumers. Top carnivores are the tertiary consumers which feed on the secondary consumers and form the fourth trophic level. The organism of a lower trophic level is fed upon by another organism lying in the next higher trophic level. This energy flow is an important function of an ecosystem.
• The process of decomposition is the breakdown of complex organic materials present in dead remains of plants and animals into simple inorganic compounds.