Question 1

What is primary productivity?

Accepted Answer

The rate at which sunlight is converted into organic compounds via photosynthesis over time

(measures how productive an ecosystem is)

Question 2

What is gross primary productivity?

Accepted Answer

The total rate of energy storage via photosynthesis in a given area over time

Question 3

What is net primary productivity?

Accepted Answer

The gross primary productivity minus the energy lost to respiration

Question 4

How is productivity measured?

Accepted Answer

Units of energy per unit area per unit time

e.g.,

Question 5

If the net primary productivity of an ecosystem is  and respiration by producers amounts to , what is the gross primary productivity of the ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

1.8 Primary Productivity, AP Environmental Science Flashcards