Subtraction of which of the following will convert gross primary productivity into net primary productivity?
A)the energy contained in the standing crop
B)the energy used by heterotrophs in respiration
C)the energy used by autotrophs in respiration
D)the energy fixed by photosynthetic processes
E)the energy absorbed as solar or light energy

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Gross primary productivity is the rate at which producers convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis, but some of this energy is used by the producers themselves during respiration. Net primary productivity is the rate at which producers store energy as biomass, and it is calculated by subtracting the energy used by producers in respiration (choice C) from gross primary productivity. The other choices (A, B, D, E) are not relevant to this calculation.

Subtraction of Which of the Following Will Convert Gross Primary