7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem

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Question 4
Hard

Seagrass detritus (dead leaves and rhizomes) accumulates on the sandy sediment surface of a shallow coastal marine ecosystem, recycling vital nutrients back into the seagrass meadow.

A cross-section diagram of a marine seagrass meadow floor. At the sediment surface is a layer of decaying seagrass detritus. Below the sediment surface, the roots and rhizomes of living green seagrass plants spread through the sand. Zoom circles highlight microscopic marine bacteria and fungal hyphae growing on and within the decaying seagrass tissue.

Describe:

  • how marine decomposers (such as bacteria and fungi) break down the dead seagrass detritus to recycle carbon and mineral ions,
  • how these recycled components are absorbed and used again by living seagrass plants.
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7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem Questions

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