Q.52 Considering environment and ecosystem, identify the INCORRECT statement
(A) In detrital food chain, it is very difficult to measure the energy flow although the use of
radioactive tracers give some idea about the energy flow
(B) The change in species composition, community structure and function over time is ecological
succession
(C) The slower rise of environmental temperature may be attributed to the increase in pollution in
environment which reflects enough solar energy back to other spacer to slow down global
warming
(D) Photoperiodism has no relation with the environment and ecosystem, rather it is a biological
event taking place in every plant
Ecosystem Quiz : Spot the Incorrect Statement
Ecosystems involve energy flow, succession, and environmental factors like temperature and light. Question 52 tests your grasp of these by asking for the incorrect statement among options on detrital chains, succession, pollution, and photoperiodism. This is common in exams like NEET or CSIR NET.
Correct Answer: (D)
(D) is incorrect: Photoperiodism has no relation with the environment and ecosystem, rather it is a biological event taking place in every plant.
Photoperiodism—the response of plants to day length variations—is deeply tied to the environment. It influences ecosystem dynamics, like flowering timing in plant communities, seed germination, and interactions with pollinators or herbivores. It’s not just an isolated “biological event” but an environmental cue shaping community structure and biodiversity.
Why Other Options Are Correct
Each of A–C accurately describes ecosystem processes.
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(A) In detrital food chains (dead matter → decomposers → detritivores), energy flow is hard to measure directly due to hidden microbial activity and diffuse pathways. Radioactive tracers (e.g., 14C) help track it, providing indirect estimates.
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(B) Ecological succession is the predictable change in species composition, community structure, and ecosystem function over time—from pioneer species to climax communities, as in bare rock to forest progression.
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(C) Slower temperature rise links to pollution via aerosols (e.g., sulfates from industry) that reflect solar radiation back to space, causing global dimming and masking some warming effects.
Comparison Table: Statement Validity
| Option | Key Concept | Correct/Incorrect | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| (A) | Detrital energy flow | Correct | Tracers aid measurement despite challenges. |
| (B) | Ecological succession | Correct | Defines species/community shifts over time. |
| (C) | Pollution & temperature | Correct | Reflects sunlight, slows warming. |
| (D) | Photoperiodism in ecosystems | Incorrect | Environmentally driven, affects ecosystems. |
Exam Tip
Focus on environmental links: Photoperiodism synchronizes ecosystems seasonally, unlike the false isolation in (D). For similar questions, recall detrital chains transfer more energy (~70–90%) than grazing chains in some ecosystems.
