Exam 19: Nutrient Cycling and Retention

________ is the process of increased nutrient inputs into an ecosystem resulting in increased primary productivity and reduced biodiversity.

Nitrate is converted to molecular nitrogen, N₂, in a process called

________ is the movement of nutrients between pools of an ecosystem and influences the distribution of nutrients.

The release of ammonium (NH₄⁺) from decaying organic material is called ________.

The rate of decomposition of leaf litter in woodlands can be strongly influenced by

Spiraling length of nutrients in streams can be calculated as S = VT. In this equation,

Pocket gophers change the nitrogen cycle in prairies because they

Scientists have studied nutrient cycles and determined that these cycles affect the health of the biosphere. Which cycles are of most concern?

Decomposition rates in forest ecosystems is correlated to which chemical characteristic in the plant litter?

Nitrogen export was greatest in streams draining watersheds from

When comparing armored catfish, fish, and amphibians which one has the highest phosphorus content and the lowest N:P ratio?

Which of the following are nitrogen fixing organisms?

"Nitrogen fixation" refers to the conversion of

Likens and Bormann found that over 90% of the nutrients in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest were in the soil organic matter.

In aquatic ecosystems, the major agents of decomposition are

Clearcutting at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest sharply

The process of denitrification is

If Likens and Borman had not applied herbicides to the deforested basin at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest nitrate losses would have been reduced.

The "denitrification" reaction converts nitrate (NO₃^-) to nitrogen gas (N₂) under aerobic conditions.

How do nutrients and energy move through ecosystems?