The Net Primary Productivity (NPP) and Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) are two important measures used in ecology and the study of ecosystems. The relationship between NPP, GPP, and R (Respiration) can be expressed by the following formula:
NPP = GPP - R
This formula shows that NPP is calculated by subtracting the respiration (R) from the Gross Primary Productivity (GPP).
Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) represents the total amount of energy that primary producers, such as plants or algae, capture through photosynthesis in an ecosystem. It is the rate at which they convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
Respiration (R) refers to the energy that is consumed by the primary producers themselves for their own metabolic processes. It is the energy used by the plants or algae to maintain their life functions, such as growth, reproduction, and maintenance of cellular processes.
Net Primary Productivity (NPP) is the amount of energy that remains after deducting the energy used for respiration (R) from the Gross Primary Productivity (GPP). NPP represents the energy available to the primary producers for growth, reproduction, and providing energy to the other trophic levels in the ecosystem.
In summary, the formula to calculate NPP using GPP and R is:
NPP = GPP - R