The correct answer is Option (1) - Stratification
- Stratification refers to the vertical layering of different species and organisms within an ecosystem, especially in forests and aquatic systems. It is a functional unit of forests. Many forests consist of 3 strata, namely a layer of tree, a layer of shrubs and a layer of herbaceous plants. While important for ecosystem structure, it is not considered a functional unit of the ecosystem. Functional units focus on processes that maintain ecosystem dynamics.
- Energy flow, productivity, and decomposition are key functional units of an ecosystem:
- Energy flow describes how energy moves through an ecosystem from producers to consumers and decomposers.
- Productivity refers to the rate at which organisms produce organic matter (biomass) through photosynthesis or other means.
- Decomposition involves the breakdown of organic matter by decomposers, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
These processes are critical for maintaining ecosystem function, making them functional units.
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