Production - Ecology

The figure shows the CO₂ uptake by various leaf layers in a tropical forest. Leaf layer 1, at the top of the canopy, has the highest net rates of photosynthesis and layer 15 has the lowest net rates.
-What principles of production explain this pattern?

A) Leaves at the top of the canopy are larger than leaves at the bottom of the forest.
B) Gross carbon uptake is highest in top leaves relative to metabolic losses because upper leaves are in full sunlight.
C) Respiratory costs are increased in upper leaves relative to lower leaves because of the cost of transporting water and nutrients from roots to the top of the canopy.
D) The most productive plants in the forest reach the canopy first and maintain their productive advantage.

Answer

Question 3

(Multiple Choice)

Free

Refer to the figure.

The figure shows CO₂ uptake by various leaf layers in a tropical forest.
-If a native forest with 15 leaf layers is replaced with a palm oil plantation that has 3 leaf layers, there will be a(n) _______ of _______ maximum net CO₂ uptake because of ________.

A) decrease; 0.7 g/m²/hr; a reduction in net photosynthesis due to fewer leaves
B) decrease; 0.5 g/m²/hr; a reduction in net photosynthesis due to fewer leaves
C) increase; 0.7 g/m²/hr; reduced respiration loss due to fewer inefficient leaves
D) increase; 1.2 g/m²/hr; a greater proportion of high efficiency with top canopy leaves

Answer