An ecological study of a salt marsh ecosystem in Norfolk is conducted. Within a defined 10 m2 salt pan, ecologists record:
Which of the following statements correctly identifies the ecological levels of organization within this salt pan?
The 340340340 Spartina anglica plants represent a population; the collection of Spartina anglica, Peringia ulvae, and Carcinus maenas represents the ecosystem; and the soil salinity and pH represent the community.
Each individual Carcinus maenas represents an organism; all 1,2001,2001,200 Peringia ulvae individuals form a population; all populations of different species (including plants, snails, crabs, and microscopic decomposers) living and interacting in the salt pan form a community; and this community together with the salinity, pH, and tidal factors forms an ecosystem.
The 1,2001,2001,200 mud snails and 858585 shore crabs together form a single population of primary and secondary consumers; the cordgrass forms a separate community of producers; and the tidal inundation represents the ecosystem.
The salt pan habitat represents a population; the 340340340 cordgrass plants represent a community; and the sum of all snails, crabs, and salinity levels represents the ecosystem.