Nitrogen is often in short supply in terrestrial ecosystems…

Biology Ecosystem Structure and Function, Productivity and Decomposition Single Correct MCQ

Published on: August 11, 2026

Nitrogen is often in short supply in terrestrial ecosystems. Why?

There is very little free nitrogen in the air.

Atmospheric nitrogen is primarily in the stratosphere and does not come into contact with terrestrial ecosystems.

Atmospheric nitrogen cannot be used by most organisms. It needs to be converted to useful forms by bacteria and cyanobacteria.

Nitrogen solubility in water is very low and there-fore atmospheric nitrogen enters cells very slowly.

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The correct answer is:

Most organisms cannot directly use atmospheric nitrogen (N₂). It must first be converted into usable forms like ammonium, nitrate, or nitrite by nitrogen-fixing bacteria and cyanobacteria. Because this conversion is limited, nitrogen often becomes a short supply nutrient in ecosystems.

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