Question

What is the difference between GPP (gross primary productivity) and NPP (net primary productivity)?

a) GPP is the total energy captured by plants, while NPP is the energy available to consumers.
b) GPP and NPP are the same; the terms are used interchangeably.
c) GPP is the energy used by plants for growth, while NPP is the energy released during respiration.
d) GPP is the energy lost through respiration, while NPP is the energy stored in plant biomass.

Answer 1

GPP is the total solar energy that producers like plants convert to chemical energy, whereas NPP is the remaining energy after producers have used some for their metabolism and is available to other consumers in the ecosystem.

Step-by-step explanation:

The difference between Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) and Net Primary Productivity (NPP) is fundamental to understanding ecosystem energy flow. GPP refers to the total amount of solar energy that photoautotrophs, such as plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria, convert to chemical energy through photosynthesis over a given time period. In contrast, NPP is the amount of energy that remains after these producers have used some of it for their own metabolic processes, including growth, reproduction, and respiration.

In simple terms, GPP is the total energy captured, while NPP is the energy available to consumers in the ecosystem. NPP represents the energy that can be passed on to the next trophic level, making it critical for understanding how much energy is available for supporting food webs.

Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is 'a' GPP is the total energy captured by plants, while NPP is the energy available to consumers.