Question

Which one of the following is the simplified sequence of phosphorus cycling in a terrestrial ecosystem?

(a) Soil → Producers → Rock minerals → Consumers → Decomposers

(b) Rock minerals → Soil → Producers → Consumers → Decomposers

(c) Rock minerals → Decomposers → Producers → Consumers

(d) Decomposers → Rock minerals → Consumers → Producers

This question was posed to me in final exam.

I would like to ask this question from Ecosystem topic in portion Ecosystem of Biology – Class 12

Answer 1

Correct option is (b) Rock minerals → Soil → Producers → Consumers → Decomposers

Easiest explanation: The phosphorous cycle starts with rock materials and ends with the decomposers. The phosphorous enters the ecosystem through rock minerals and, there is a negligible exchange of gaseous phosphorus between organism and environment.