Gross primary productivity refers to the total
A) quantity of solar energy available to the ecosystem in a given period of time.
B) quantity of solar energy reaching a given area of the ecosystem.
C) energy trapped initially by the producers.
D) energy used by the heterotrophs of the ecosystem in a given period of time.
E) energy used by the producers for their growth and reproduction.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Gross primary productivity (GPP) refers to the amount of energy captured by the producers (autotrophs) in an ecosystem through photosynthesis. It represents the total energy available to the ecosystem for various functions, such as growth, reproduction, and maintenance. Therefore, choice C, "energy trapped initially by the producers," is the correct option.

Gross Primary Productivity Refers to the Total