Final answer:
The Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) of the boreal forest is 210 units per month, calculated using the Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) and the respiration rates of both autotrophs and heterotrophs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking how to calculate the Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) of a boreal forest given its Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) and the respiration rates for autotrophs and heterotrophs. The GPP is a measure of the total amount of organic matter produced by photosynthesis before losses from respiration are taken into account.
Using the provided information:
NEE (Net Ecosystem Exchange) is 120 units per month
Respiration by autotrophs is 60 units per month
Respiration by heterotrophs is 30 units per month
The formula for NEE is:
NEE = GPP - (Respiration by autotrophs + Respiration by heterotrophs)
Plugging in the numbers:
120 = GPP - (60 + 30)
120 = GPP - 90
GPP = 120 + 90
GPP = 210 units per month
Therefore, the GPP of the forest is 210 units per month.