Question

An ecosystem consists of

• A. All the plants and animals of an area.
• B. Producers, consumers, and decomposers in a particular locality.
• C. A living community and its environment.
• D. Carnivores and herbivores of an area.

Answer 1

The correct option is C

A living community and its environment.

The correct option is C.

Explanation for the correct option:

1. Both living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) elements make up the ecosystem, and both have an impact on one another and their surroundings.
2. When we look at ecosystem activities like production, decomposition, energy flow, and nutrient cycling, we can see that the biotic and abiotic components work together as a whole.
3. The generation of biomass containing energy by organisms at any trophic level in the unit area in the unit time is referred to as productivity.
4. Decomposition is the process through which physical and chemical reactions convert decayed organic matter into less complex forms. Decomposers are crucial to our ecology and aid in the cycling of nutrients.
5. In an ecosystem, energy moves in a single direction, from producers at the first trophic level to decomposers at the bottom (6th Trophic Level).
6. The first and second laws of thermodynamics can be used to describe the energy flow as an ecosystem.
7. The ratio of energy ingested over energy available between two succeeding trophic levels is known as ecological efficiency.
8. The entire earth's biosphere is regarded as one large ecosystem.

Explanation for the incorrect options:

Option A:

The ecosystem not only consists of plants and animals but also consists of abiotic factors also.

Option B:

The ecosystem not only consists of producers, consumers, and decomposers but also consists of abiotic components.

Option D:

The ecosystem not only consists of carnivores and herbivores but also consists of decomposers, producers, and abiotic factors.

Final answer: An ecosystem consists of a living community and its environment.