Multiple Choice
Why does the aquarium trade contribute to the introduction of nonnative species?
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48. Ecology
Introduction to Ecology
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What should an ecologist measure in order to construct a pyramid of biomass for an ecosystem?
A
The dry mass of organisms at each trophic level
B
The energy content of sunlight entering the ecosystem
C
The rate of photosynthesis in primary producers
D
The number of individuals at each trophic level
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the concept of a pyramid of biomass. A pyramid of biomass represents the total dry mass of all organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem. It provides insight into the distribution of biomass across different levels of the food chain.
Step 2: Recognize that constructing a pyramid of biomass requires measuring the dry mass of organisms. Dry mass refers to the mass of biological material after removing all water content, which ensures accurate comparisons between trophic levels.
Step 3: Eliminate irrelevant options. For example, measuring the energy content of sunlight entering the ecosystem or the rate of photosynthesis in primary producers is not directly related to biomass. These measurements are more relevant to energy flow or productivity studies.
Step 4: Consider why counting the number of individuals at each trophic level is insufficient. While population size provides useful information, it does not account for differences in organism size or biomass, which are critical for constructing a pyramid of biomass.
Step 5: Conclude that the ecologist should measure the dry mass of organisms at each trophic level to construct an accurate pyramid of biomass for the ecosystem.
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