Question

The biomass available for consumption by the herbivores and the decomposers is called?

• A. Secondary productivity
• B. Net primary productivity
• C. Standing crop
• D. Gross primary productivity

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Net primary productivity

The correct option is B

Explanation of the correct option:

1. Productivity refers to the rate at which biomass is produced.
2. To compare the productivity of different ecosystems, it is stated in units of gm^–2 yr ^–1 or (kcal m^–2 ) yr ^–1.\
3. Plants use a significant amount of GPP in their respiration.
4. Net primary productivity equals gross primary productivity minus respiration losses (R).
5. The available biomass for heterotrophic consumption is referred to as net primary productivity.

Explanation of the incorrect option:

Option A:

The rate at which consumers produce new organic matter is referred to as secondary productivity.

Option C:

1. At any one time, each trophic level has a set mass of live material known as the standing crop.
2. The mass of living creatures (biomass) or the number in a unit area is used to calculate the standing crop.

Option D:

The rate at which organic matter is produced during photosynthesis determines an ecosystem's gross primary productivity.

Final answer: The biomass available for consumption by the herbivores and the decomposers Is called Net primary productivity.