Primary Productivity

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What is Gross Primary Productivity?

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Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) is the total amount of energy that producers convert to chemical energy in organic molecules per unit of time.

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What is Net Primary Productivity?

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Net Primary Productivity (NPP) is the organic materials that remain after photosynthetic organisms in the ecosystem have used some of these compounds for their cellular energy needs (cellular respiration).

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What are Autotrophs?

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Autotrophs are organisms that use photosynthesis to convert light energy into chemical energy.

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How do you calculate Net Primary Productivity?

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Net Primary Productivity (NPP) can be calculated using the formula: NPP = Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) - Respiration.

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If Gross Primary Productivity in a wetland is 3 kg C/m^2/year and respiration is 1.5 kg C/m^2/year, what is the Net Primary Productivity?

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Net Primary Productivity = 3 kg C/m^2/year - 1.5 kg C/m^2/year = 1.5 kg C/m^2/year.

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What does it mean if the rates of photosynthesis and respiration are equal?

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If the rates of photosynthesis and respiration are equal, the amount of dissolved oxygen in the light bottle remains unchanged.

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What is the significance of Primary Productivity in an ecosystem?

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Primary Productivity is crucial as it determines the energy available for all other organisms in the ecosystem.

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What factors can affect Primary Productivity?

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Factors affecting Primary Productivity include light availability, temperature, nutrient availability, and water.

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What is the difference between Gross and Net Primary Productivity?

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Gross Primary Productivity is the total energy captured by photosynthesis, while Net Primary Productivity is the energy available after accounting for respiration.

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Why are autotrophs important in an ecosystem?

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Autotrophs are important because they produce organic compounds that serve as food for heterotrophs, forming the base of the food chain.