Why is net primary production (NPP) a more useful measurement to an ecosystem ecologist than gross primary production (GPP)?
A) NPP can be expressed in energy per unit of area per unit of time.
B) NPP can be expressed in terms of carbon fixed by photosynthesis for an entire ecosystem.
C) NPP represents the stored chemical energy that will be available to consumers in the ecosystem.
D) NPP is the same as the standing crop.
E) NPP shows the rate at which the standing crop is utilized by consumers.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

NPP represents the stored chemical energy that will be available to consumers in the ecosystem, making it a more useful measurement for ecosystem ecologists to understand the productivity of an ecosystem in terms of its ability to support its biotic community. GPP only represents the total amount of chemical energy produced by photosynthesis but doesn't account for energy lost through respiration.

Why Is Net Primary Production (NPP) a More Useful Measurement