The biomass of the biosphere
Answers are for parents and teachers.
1
By modern estimates, the plant biomass of the Earth is about 450 bn t of carbon and the animal biomass about 2 bn t. How many times larger is plant biomass than animal biomass?
225
2
The ocean is 360 million km², the Earth’s surface 510 million km². How many million km² is land?
150
3
Explain the «inverted» ocean biomass pyramid in two sentences.
Phytoplankton has little mass but multiplies very fast. The mass of its consumers is larger.
4
How do earthworms raise soil fertility?
They loosen the soil, mix in organic remains and help form humus.
5
Write two causes of decreasing biomass.
Deforestation; pollution by pesticides and oil.