Temperature and amount of sunlight are two important factors that can affect the productivity of a marine ecosystem.
Temperature plays a critical role in the growth and survival of marine organisms. Many marine organisms, particularly phytoplankton, have optimal temperature ranges for growth and reproduction. If temperatures are too high or too low, their growth and productivity can be reduced. Additionally, warmer waters can also result in increased evaporation and stratification, which can lead to a decrease in the mixing of nutrients and decrease in productivity.
Sunlight, on the other hand, is essential for photosynthesis, the process by which phytoplankton, the base of the marine food web, convert light energy into chemical energy. More sunlight means more energy and thus more productivity. However, too much sunlight can cause photoinhibition, where the phytoplankton are damaged by the intensity of the light, resulting in decreased productivity.
In general, productivity in marine ecosystems tends to increase as temperature and sunlight increase, but only up to a certain point. Beyond that point, excessive heat or light can have negative effects on the productivity of the ecosystem. Therefore, the optimal conditions for productivity in a marine ecosystem are within a certain range of temperature and sunlight, which varies depending on the specific organisms present in the ecosystem.