What does net primary productivity represent?
A) The actual amount of new biomass available for heterotrophs to consume
B) The actual rate at which new biomass is produced for heterotrophs to consume
C) The actual number of new living organisms in a unit area for heterotrophs to consume
D) The actual productivity of an ecosystem and how much respiration occurs over time.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Net primary productivity represents the actual rate at which new biomass is produced for heterotrophs to consume. It is the amount of energy that plants capture through photosynthesis, minus the energy they use for cellular respiration. This biomass represents the source of energy for all organisms in the ecosystem, as heterotrophs ultimately rely on autotrophs for their energy needs.

What Does Net Primary Productivity Represent