gross primary productivity
Quick Summary
Gross primary productivity (GPP) is the rate at which photosynthetic organisms, like plants and algae, convert energy into organic substances. This process primarily uses sunlight, though some producers use chemical energy. GPP represents the total biological productivity within an ecosystem.12
A portion of this produced organic material is used by the producers themselves for life processes through cellular respiration. The remaining organic material is known as net primary productivity, which is then available for consumers in the food chain. GPP is typically measured by tracking carbon dioxide uptake or oxygen output and is often expressed in terms of carbon per unit area per unit time.12
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marine ecosystemBiological productivity…a region or system is gross primary productivity. A certain amount of organic material is used to sustain the life of producers; what remains is net productivity. Net marine primary productivity is the amount of organic material available to support the consumers (herbivores and carnivores) of the sea. The standing…
Read More…a region or system is gross primary productivity. A certain amount of organic material is used to sustain the life of producers; what remains is net productivity. Net marine primary productivity is the amount of organic material available to support the consumers (herbivores and carnivores) of the sea. The standing…
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inland water ecosystemBiological productivity…is important to distinguish between gross primary production—i.e., the total amount of energy fixed by photosynthesis—and net primary production—i.e., the amount of energy fixed less that respired by the plants involved and available for secondary production. Note that forms of production using energy other than radiant energy from the Sun…
Read More…is important to distinguish between gross primary production—i.e., the total amount of energy fixed by photosynthesis—and net primary production—i.e., the amount of energy fixed less that respired by the plants involved and available for secondary production. Note that forms of production using energy other than radiant energy from the Sun…
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