Primary productivity in ecology refers to the rate at which energy is converted to organic substances by photosynthetic producers (photoautotrophs) and chemosynthetic producers (chemoautotrophs). Land plants, or autotrophs, are terrestrial primary producers that manufacture new organic molecules through photosynthesis. Primary productivity is vital for the structure and function of ecosystems, as it determines the amount of organic matter available to support various trophic levels.
In terrestrial ecosystems, vascular plants are responsible for the majority of primary production, driven by temperature and moisture. Estuaries, swamps, and marshes are the most productive ecosystems globally, followed by tropical rainforests. Gross primary production (GPP) is the amount of chemical energy, typically expressed as carbon biomass, that primary producers create in a given length of time. The tropical rainforest biome has the highest net primary production.
The most productive systems in terms of NPP per unit area are estuaries, swamps and marshes, tropical rain forests, and temperate rain forests. The total amount of biological productivity in a region or ecosystem is called the gross primary productivity. A process-based model suggests that bicarbonate can support up to approximately 58% of GPP under the most productive conditions.
In summary, primary productivity is crucial for the structure and function of ecosystems, with vascular plants being the main contributors. Factors such as temperature and moisture also limit the amount of primary production locally.
📹 Primary productivity in ecosystems| Matter and Energy Flow| AP Environmental Science| Khan Academy
Primary productivity is the rate at which solar energy (sunlight) is converted into organic compounds via photosynthesis over a unit …
At what depth is primary productivity greatest?
The ocean’s surface is the interface between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Autotrophic phytoplankton require light from the sun to power chlorophyll and fix carbon through photosynthesis. Most primary productivity occurs in the upper half of the photic zone, the euphotic zone, where plants capture more light energy than they need for growth and reproduction. However, all plants respire to live, grow, and reproduce. The depth at which primary production equals respiration is called the compensation depth.
Above this depth, phytoplankton can make a living, while below this depth, they cannot survive or go into a resting stage to await better light conditions. Some phytoplankton survive through low light or darkness of winter by going into a resting stage and returning to the surface to seed the next spring’s bloom.
The compensation depth coincides with the depth in the ocean where the light level is 1 to 0. 1 of the amount of sunlight entering the surface of the ocean. Diatoms have a deeper compensation depth, as they are more efficient than dinoflagellates and can photosynthesize in lower light levels. The compensation depth varies greatly from 100 meters in clear oligotrophic waters to a few meters in turbid or muddy coastal ocean waters.
The amount of light at ocean depth depends on the intensity of sunlight passing through the atmosphere and striking the surface of the water. The intensity at the surface varies with factors such as time of day, season, cloud cover, sea waves, and other atmospheric factors. Once sunlight penetrates the water, the compensation depth varies with conditions, such as increased production and zooplankton populations, creating shade for phytoplankton deeper in the water column, decreasing available light and raising the compensation depth.
What is highest primary productivity?
Tropical rainforests demonstrate the highest productivity of any terrestrial ecosystem, while coral reefs exhibit the highest productivity of any aquatic ecosystem.
What is primary productivity level?
Primary productivity refers to the conversion of energy into organic substances by photoautotrophs (photoautotrophs) and chemosynthetic producers (chemoautotrophs), with photoautotrophs generating nearly all of Earth’s primary productivity. The gross primary productivity is the total amount of biological productivity in a region or ecosystem. The net primary productivity, which can be used by consumers (heterotrophs), is determined by measuring the uptake of carbon dioxide or oxygen output. Primary productivity is expressed as grams of organic carbon per unit area per unit time.
In marine environments, primary producers include pelagic phytoplankton and benthic algae, while in terrestrial environments, primary productivity is generated by trees and other land plants. Nitrogen and phosphorus are the most essential nutrients for primary producers, which are available as dissolved nutrients in soil, lakes, rivers, and oceans. The abundance of these molecules and the intensity and quality of light significantly influence production rates.
Where is primary productivity greatest on earth?
The open oceans, which constitute approximately 65 percent of the Earth’s total area, are responsible for a greater quantity of primary production than any other ecosystem. This is due to the fact that they encompass a vast expanse, which includes five continental shelves and 70 individual surface areas.
Where is the highest productivity?
Luxembourg ranks as the world’s most productive country, with a productivity per person, per hour ($) of 98. 042. This ranking is based on data deep-dive, which suggests that boosting workplace productivity can be achieved through various methods, such as reducing meetings and optimizing performance through free CRM systems. The study of productivity in whole countries can provide valuable insights for business owners, as it can help them improve the productivity of their staff.
What is primary productivity A level?
The term “gross primary production” (GPP) is used to describe the amount of chemical energy produced from light energy in a given time period. The measurement is expressed in mass per unit area per time, with the unit of measurement most commonly employed being the mass of carbon per unit area per year. A 15-minute consultation may be scheduled to discuss a personalized plan and answer any questions. Available time slots are in UK time.
Where is primary productivity high and low?
Primary productivity rates can range from 0-9000 kcal/m2 /yr, with desert regions having lower rates and estuaries having higher rates. Research on more constrained rates of primary productivity for specific environments can be done by examining primary literature for a specific site. Limnological methods for the McMurdo Long Term Ecological Research Program provide more information on primary productivity.
What are the 3 levels of productivity?
Knowledge workers are classified into three levels of productivity: reactive, proactive, and level 3. They focus on achieving their most significant
results daily, focusing on addressing others’ priorities. By training the brain to recognize their productivity level, they can establish habits to progress to the third level. The goal is to work in level 3 productivity for most of the day, achieving more significant results. This approach helps knowledge workers measure their productivity effectively and improve their overall productivity.
What is high level of productivity?
Productivity is crucial as it indicates greater output from the same input, promoting efficiency in transforming resources into goods. It drives economic growth, allowing an economy to produce and consume more goods and services for the same work. Productivity benefits all societal sectors, including consumers, workers, and employers. It is vital for individuals, businesses, and analysts as it allows them to complete work efficiently, tackle jobs quicker, and enjoy more free time. Productivity also helps maintain a healthy work/life balance, allowing individuals to enjoy their work and feel less stressed.
What is the level of productivity?
Productivity levels in a country, industry, or enterprise are determined by various factors such as labor supplies, land, raw materials, capital facilities, and mechanical aids. These factors interact and mutually condition one another, affecting productivity levels and their changes. A country with low productivity is likely to have deficiencies in all counts, while a country with high productivity is likely to score high on all counts.
These factors act as variables in a system of simultaneous equations, with all acting concurrently to shape the outcome. There is no grounds for assigning causal priority to one or a few variables. However, within certain problem frameworks, it may be appropriate to emphasize certain variables over others. Two broad problem frameworks are identified, one involving changes in productivity over time and the other involving differences in productivity levels among enterprises, industries, and countries at a given time. Each of these frameworks has many problems and subproblems, each leading to a different selection and emphasis of variables.
Where is the highest net primary productivity in the ecosystem?
Net primary productivity refers to the amount of organic matter synthesized by plants per unit area in unit time, excluding respiration energy. Tropical rain forests, with dense, evergreen vegetation, are the most productive ecosystems, with an annual net primary productivity of 9000 kcal per square metre per year. Conversely, tropical and temperate deciduous forests have trees that lose leaves during harsh seasons and photosynthesis only during the rest of the year, resulting in lesser productivity.
📹 Energy Flow in Ecosystems
008 – Energy Flow in Ecosystems In this video Paul Andersen explains how energy flows in ecosystems. Energy enters via …
Add comment