Answer to Question #118850 in Ecology for ariel jacob

Question

the biomass of decomposers was reduced from 56 gm-2 to 3 gm-2 from rainy season 1 to rainy season 2. suggest the effect this will have on the recycling of nutrients.

Answer 1

56 gm-2 – 100 %

3 gm-2 – x %

x = 5.3 %

100 % - 5.3 % = 94.7 %

The rate of decomposition would decrease on 94.7 % from rainy season 1 to rainy season 2. Significant mass of nutrients would not be released back into the ecosystem. Producers would not have enough nutrients. The carbon and nitrogen necessary to build organic compounds would be insufficient. Other nutrients necessary for an organism to function properly would also not be sufficient. Essentially, many organisms could not exist.