Which of the Following Has the Greatest Effect on the Rate

Question

Which of the following has the greatest effect on the rate of chemical cycling in an ecosystem?
A)the ecosystem's rate of primary production
B)the production efficiency of the ecosystem's consumers
C)the rate of decomposition in the ecosystem
D)the trophic efficiency of the ecosystem
E)the location of the nutrient reservoirs in the ecosystem

Accepted Answer

The rate of decomposition in the ecosystem has the greatest effect on the rate of chemical cycling because it determines how quickly organic matter is broken down and returned to the soil for reuse by primary producers. Without decomposition, nutrients would be locked up in dead organic matter and unavailable for use by other organisms, which would severely limit the productivity of the ecosystem. Additionally, decomposition is influenced by factors such as temperature, moisture, and soil pH, which further impact nutrient cycling.