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22 Jan 2024, 02:23
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Strengthen: The least contribution to biomass of forests is by the organic matter from soil.
Weaken: Most deserts that were once tropical forests are near coastal areas where salt content is very high in the air, affecting the ecosystems fertility.
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
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About 80% of the ecosystem biomass of tropical rainforests occurs as woody tissues of trees, while only about 15% of the organic matter occurs in soil and litter, and about 5% is foliage. As with all forests, the biomass of animals is much less than 1% of that of the total ecosystem. In contrast, temperate forests maintain much larger fractions of their total ecosystem biomass as organic matter of the soil and forest floor. The reason for this difference is the relatively rapid rate of decomposition of dead biomass in the warm and humid environmental conditions of tropical rainforests. Because most of the biomass and nutrient content of tropical rainforests occurs in the biomass of living trees, and because their soils are usually highly infertile and extremely weathered, the fertility of this ecosystem is rapidly degraded after the forest is cleared.
Select Strengthen for the statement that would, if true, most strengthen the argument, and select Weaken for the statement that would, if true, most weaken the argument. Make only two selections, one in each column.
Select Strengthen for the statement that would, if true, most strengthen the argument, and select Weaken for the statement that would, if true, most weaken the argument. Make only two selections, one in each column.
| Strengthen | Weaken | |
| The rate of decomposition of biomass in warm and hot climates is one of the major contributors for the clearing of the equatorial forests. | ||
| The soils of tropical rain forests are found to be poor in mineral content. | ||
| Temperate forests are far more enriched in fertility and wildlife diversity. | ||
| The least contribution to biomass of forests is by the organic matter from soil. | ||
| Most deserts that were once tropical forests are near coastal areas where salt content is very high in the air, affecting the ecosystems fertility. |
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Official Answer
Strengthen: The least contribution to biomass of forests is by the organic matter from soil.
Weaken: Most deserts that were once tropical forests are near coastal areas where salt content is very high in the air, affecting the ecosystems fertility.
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05 Feb 2024, 17:12
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At the very least, how do we even figure out the conclusion of this passage? Having a strong grasp of the conclusion may help in discovering the weakener/strengthener.
12 Feb 2024, 13:22
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Official Explanation
This is a strengthening and weakening question, and therefore it is important that we understand the conclusion of the argument. The conclusion is that the fertility of this ecosystem is rapidly degraded after the forest is cleared. What ecosystem? Tropical rainforest. And the passage talks about 80% of ecosystem biomass of tropical rainforest being worried issues, 15% being organic matter, 5% being foliage. Generally it is animals. If biomass contributes to 1%, and it is much higher in the case of temperate forests. And the reason is given to strengthen and weaken.
The option (D) says that the least contribution of biomass of forests so this tends to convey that there is little correlation between biomass and soil. And therefore, this adds weight to the logic of the infertility of soil. So this strengthens. And this option (E) brings in an alternate explanation and hence weaken the argument.
This is a strengthening and weakening question, and therefore it is important that we understand the conclusion of the argument. The conclusion is that the fertility of this ecosystem is rapidly degraded after the forest is cleared. What ecosystem? Tropical rainforest. And the passage talks about 80% of ecosystem biomass of tropical rainforest being worried issues, 15% being organic matter, 5% being foliage. Generally it is animals. If biomass contributes to 1%, and it is much higher in the case of temperate forests. And the reason is given to strengthen and weaken.
The option (D) says that the least contribution of biomass of forests so this tends to convey that there is little correlation between biomass and soil. And therefore, this adds weight to the logic of the infertility of soil. So this strengthens. And this option (E) brings in an alternate explanation and hence weaken the argument.
