Question

Describe primary productivity and its types.

Answer 1

Primary productivity is the rate at which energy is converted by photosynthetic and chemosynthetic autotrophs into organic substances. In other words, it the energy produced per unit area in a time period by autotrophs. It depends upon several factors like plant species, environmental factors, availability of nutrients, etc. It is of 2 types, gross primary productivity and net primary productivity. Gross primary productivity (GPP) is the total amount of productivity in a particular region. Net primary productivity (NPP) is the difference between GPP and the respiration losses (R). Respiration loss incldues energy loss to metabolism and maintenance.

Hence, NPP = GPP - R.