Net Primary Productivity

Net primary productivity is the amount of organic matter or biomass that is available for consumption by the herbivores and the decomposers. It is the difference between the amount of carbon dioxide that is fixed by plants through photosynthesis and the amount of carbon dioxide that is released through respiration.

Factors Affecting Net Primary Productivity

There are various factors that affect net primary productivity, such as:

1. Climate: The availability of sunlight, temperature, and precipitation affect the rate of photosynthesis and, therefore, the amount of organic matter that is produced.

2. Nutrients: The availability of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium also affects the rate of photosynthesis and, therefore, the amount of organic matter that is produced.

3. Soil fertility: The fertility of the soil affects the growth and productivity of plants, which in turn affects the amount of organic matter that is produced.

Importance of Net Primary Productivity

Net primary productivity is an important measure of the productivity of an ecosystem. It is a key component of the food web, as it provides the energy and nutrients that support the growth and survival of herbivores and decomposers. It also plays a critical role in the global carbon cycle, as it represents the amount of carbon that is fixed by plants and stored in biomass.

Conclusion

In conclusion, net primary productivity is the biomass available for consumption by the herbivores and the decomposers. It is influenced by various factors such as climate, nutrients, and soil fertility, and is an important measure of the productivity of an ecosystem.

Net Primary Productivity (NPP) is the weight of organic matter stored by producers in a unit area/volume per unit time. NPP is equal to the rate of organic matter created by photosynthesis minus the rate of respiration and other loses. Stored biomass is tansferred from one trophic level to another trophic level.