Question

The zone of a pond system where respiration is more than production is called as___

• A. Limnetic zone
• B. Littoral zone
• C. Epilimnion zone
• D. Benthic zone

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The question asks about a zone in a pond where respiration exceeds production. Understanding the different zones of a pond is crucial to address this question:

1. Limnetic Zone: This is the well-lit, open-surface waters in a pond or lake away from the shore. It has ample sunlight, supporting photosynthesis, leading to higher production than respiration.
2. Littoral Zone: This is the nearshore area where sunlight penetrates all the way to the sediment, allowing a variety of aquatic plants to flourish. Here, production often exceeds respiration due to abundant sunlight.
3. Epilimnion Zone: This is the upper layer of water in a stratified lake where sunlight is abundant and often has a high level of oxygen due to wind mixing. This zone generally supports more production than respiration.
4. Benthic Zone: This area is at the lowest level of a body of water, including the sediment surface and some sub-surface layers. In this zone, the decomposition of organic material often leads to respiration levels that surpass the production, as sunlight is limited, and photosynthesis is reduced.

Considering these descriptions, the Benthic Zone is identified as the zone where respiration is more than production due to limited sunlight and high organic matter decomposition. Thus, the correct answer is the 'Benthic zone'.