Question

The amount of nutrients, such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium present in the soil at any given time, is referred as

• A. Standing crop
• B. Climax
• C. Climax community
• D. Standing state

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The question asks for the term used to describe the amount of specific nutrients present in the soil at any given time. These nutrients include carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium. Let's analyze the given options:

1. Standing crop: This term refers to the amount of biomass present in an ecosystem at a particular time. It generally includes the living plants and is related to the actual crop production rather than soil nutrients. Thus, this is not the correct option.
2. Climax: This term is related to the final stage of ecological succession, where the ecosystem is stable and balanced. It does not specifically relate to the amount of nutrients in the soil at a given time. Therefore, it is not the correct answer.
3. Climax community: Similar to "climax," this term describes a stable, mature ecological community with little change in the composition of species. It does not concern the nutrient levels in soil specifically, so it is not the correct choice.
4. Standing state: This term is the correct answer, as it refers to the quantity of nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium present in the soil at any given time. This definition matches exactly with what the question describes.

Thus, the correct answer is Standing state.

In summary, the "standing state" is a term used to express the quantity of nutrients in the soil, and it is a dynamic measure that can fluctuate based on various factors such as seasonality, plant growth, and soil management practices.