Question

Write a hypothesis about the addition of compost (nutrients) to the soil and ecological succession using this format.

a) If compost is added to the soil, then ecological succession will occur.
b) Adding compost has no effect on soil nutrients or ecological succession.
c) Compost negatively impacts soil quality and disrupts ecological succession.
d) Ecological succession is independent of compost addition to the soil.

Answer 1

Adding compost to soil likely promotes ecological succession by improving soil quality and nutrient cycling, thereby supporting the growth of diverse biological communities until a stable climax community is established.

Step-by-step explanation:

The addition of compost to the soil is likely to have a positive effect on ecological succession. If we create a hypothesis based on this, it would be something like: 'If compost is added to the soil, then ecological succession will be positively impacted, as compost will introduce nutrients and support the growth of pioneer species, leading to a more diverse and stable community over time.'

Compost is an organic fertilizer that adds nutrients to the soil, which are gradually broken down by decomposers and made available to plants. This addition of nutrients can expedite secondary succession by promoting the growth of plants, which are the foundation of most terrestrial ecosystems. By boosting soil quality and contributing to nutrient cycling, compost can accelerate the natural process where one biological community is replaced by another until a stable climax community is established.

Therefore, hypothesis a) 'If compost is added to the soil, then ecological succession will occur' aligns well with our understanding of succession, soil quality, and nutrient cycling. Compost enhances soil structure, supports biodiverse decomposer communities, and improves water retention, which can all favor ecological succession.