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Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes gross primary productivity (GPP) in an ecosystem?
A
The total amount of chemical energy produced by photosynthesis in a given area and time period.
B
The rate at which consumers convert plant biomass into their own biomass.
C
The amount of energy available to consumers after plant respiration is subtracted from total photosynthesis.
D
The total amount of energy lost as heat during cellular respiration.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of Gross Primary Productivity (GPP). GPP refers to the total amount of chemical energy produced by autotrophs (like plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria) through photosynthesis in a given area and time period.
Step 2: Differentiate GPP from other related terms such as Net Primary Productivity (NPP). NPP is the energy available to consumers after subtracting the energy used by plants for respiration from GPP.
Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options by analyzing their definitions. For example, 'The rate at which consumers convert plant biomass into their own biomass' refers to secondary productivity, not GPP.
Step 4: Similarly, 'The total amount of energy lost as heat during cellular respiration' is not related to GPP but rather to energy expenditure during metabolic processes.
Step 5: Confirm that the correct description of GPP is 'The total amount of chemical energy produced by photosynthesis in a given area and time period,' as this aligns with the definition of GPP in ecosystem ecology.