All Flashcards
Why is NPP important for an ecosystem?
It determines how much life an ecosystem can support, influencing biodiversity and trophic levels.
How does energy flow in an ecosystem?
Energy enters as sunlight, is captured by producers (GPP), some is lost through respiration, and the remainder (NPP) supports the ecosystem.
What is the relationship between GPP and NPP?
NPP = GPP - Respiration. NPP is the energy available to the ecosystem after producers meet their own needs.
What are the basic steps in calculating NPP?
- Measure GPP (total energy captured). 2. Measure respiration (energy used by producers). 3. Subtract respiration from GPP: NPP = GPP - Respiration.
What is Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)?
Total energy captured by producers through photosynthesis.
What is Net Primary Productivity (NPP)?
Energy remaining after producers use some for respiration; available for growth and other organisms.
Define Respiration in the context of primary productivity.
Process where plants use captured energy for their needs, releasing some as heat.