Final answer:
Oceanic areas are less productive than upwelling areas because it is nutrient-rich in upwelling areas
Step-by-step explanation:
The productivity of oceanic areas is typically lower than that of upwelling areas because ocean upwelling brings nutrient-rich waters from the deep ocean to the surface, providing a plentiful supply of nutrients for photosynthetic organisms like phytoplankton.
In contrast, oceanic areas lack a process to bring organic nutrients back up to the surface, resulting in nutrient scarcity and lower productivity. This is supported by the fact that upwelling areas have higher concentrations of primary producers, such as phytoplankton, which in turn support larger populations of primary consumers.