Question

Primary productivity refers to the

• A.
  the rate of photosynthesis in plants and photosynthetic bacteria as compared to the rate of plant consumption by herbivores
• B. the total amount of light energy converted to organic compounds in a given area per unit time by producers.
• C. rate of decomposition by the detritivores.
• D. total biomass of the photosynthetic organisms in the ecosystem.

Answer 1

The correct option is B the total amount of light energy converted to organic compounds in a given area per unit time by producers.

Primary productivity: can be defined as the rate of organic matter produced in a given area per by the first level of trophic organization. The first level of organization is the producer.