Question

If a forester treats his soil with a broad-spectrum fungicide, how would this affect the rate of CO2 released from the system?1. CO2 released from the system will decrease because this would decrease the number of decomposers in the system.2. CO2 released from the system will increase because the fungi will be decomposed by something else.3. CO2 released from the system will remain the same because fungi only decompose dead organisms and the forest is alive.

Answer 1

1. CO2 released from the system will decrease because this would decrease the number of decomposers in the system

Step-by-step explanation:

Fungal species are one of the important decomposers that breakdown the complex organic matter present in the dead plants and animal bodies. During the decomposition of dead and decaying organic matter, the carbon is released into atmosphere in form of carbon dioxide.

The use of broad-spectrum fungicide would kill large number of fungal species present in the system and hence would reduce the rate of decomposition of dead organic matter. The reduced decomposition rate would also lower down the release of carbon dioxide gas.