Which statement defines net primary productivity?
A) It is the rate at which producers use chemical energy through respiration.
B) It is the rate of photosynthesis plus the rate of respiration.
C) It is the net rate at which producers convert sugar into biomass.
D) It is the rate at which producers manufacture chemical energy through photosynthesis.

Question

Which statement defines net primary productivity? 
A) It is the rate at which producers use chemical energy through respiration. 
B) It is the rate of photosynthesis plus the rate of respiration. 
C) It is the net rate at which producers convert sugar into biomass. 
D) It is the rate at which producers manufacture chemical energy through photosynthesis.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Net primary productivity (NPP) is the net rate at which producers convert solar energy to chemical energy through photosynthesis, and then store it as biomass. It is calculated as the rate of photosynthesis minus the rate of respiration. This represents the amount of energy available to heterotrophs at the herbivore or detritivore level.

Which Statement Defines Net Primary Productivity