photosynthesis
The lowest net primary productivity usually occurs in extreme environments such as deserts, polar regions, and deep ocean gyres where there is limited access to sunlight, water, and nutrients for photosynthesis. These areas have low plant growth and biomass production, resulting in low net primary productivity.
Desert < Open ocean < Lake < Tropical rainforest. Desert ecosystems have the lowest primary productivity due to low water availability and extreme conditions. Open ocean ecosystems are next due to limited nutrients. Lake ecosystems have higher productivity as they are more nutrient-rich. Tropical rainforests have the highest productivity due to the abundance of sunlight, water, and nutrients.
Primary productivity in land ecosystems is generally higher than in ocean ecosystems when measured per unit area, primarily due to the abundance of terrestrial plants and their ability to photosynthesize efficiently. However, the total primary productivity of the oceans is substantial due to their vast surface area, making them a significant contributor to global carbon fixation. Marine environments, particularly coastal areas and upwelling zones, can exhibit high productivity levels, but overall, terrestrial ecosystems tend to have greater productivity on a per-area basis. Thus, while oceans cover more area, terrestrial ecosystems contribute more significantly to global biomass production.
According to Whittaker (1975) of the three ecosystems, algal beds and reefs have the highest average primary productivity of 2500 g m-2y-1. Esturies are also fairly productive areas, averaging 1500 g m-2y-1. The open ocean on the other hand is a relatively unproductive system, averaging 125 g m-2y-1.However, if you look at the total productivity, and not the averages, the picture changes substantially. Now the open ocean contributes the most to the total global productivity due to vastly greater area than either esturies or algal beds and reefs. Indeed, with just 1.2 x 109t-1 algal beds and reefs contribute the least to the total global productivity.It is also worth noting that continental shelf areas have a higher productivity than open ocean, but contribute less to the global total, again because of reduced area.All figures taken fromWhittaker RH (1975) Communities and Ecosystems. London, Collier-Macmillan cited in Tivy J (1993) Biogeography A Study of Plants in the Ecosphere. Longman Scientific & Technical
She made it to the pacific ocean.
Areas of the open ocean are often very deep. Primary productivity relies on sunlight, and sunlight only penetrates the first 10m or so (varies widely) of the ocean surface. Therefore, only this surface zone is photosynetically productive, which in turn fuels secondary (small crustaceans, zooplankton, etc.) and tertiary (fish) production.
The ocean ecosystem contains 32 percent of the world's primary producers, mainly phytoplankton. Phytoplankton play a crucial role in the ocean food chain by converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
The productivity of the Southern Ocean is the highest level of productivity of any ocean on earth. This means that whales -- sea mammals -- can easily find food.
the ocean
Primary productivity varies with latitude primarily due to differences in sunlight availability, temperature, and nutrient availability. In tropical regions near the equator, there is abundant sunlight year-round, promoting high rates of photosynthesis. In contrast, higher latitudes experience seasonal variations in light and temperature, which can limit productivity during colder months. Additionally, nutrient availability can differ, with coastal areas often having higher productivity due to upwelling, while open ocean regions may be nutrient-poor, affecting overall productivity levels.
Most productivity in open oceans is limited to surface waters primarily due to the availability of sunlight, which is essential for photosynthesis. Phytoplankton, the primary producers in marine ecosystems, thrive in the well-lit epipelagic zone (the upper layer of the ocean) where light penetrates. Below this layer, light diminishes rapidly, restricting photosynthetic activity and, consequently, the overall productivity of marine life. Additionally, nutrient availability tends to decrease with depth, further limiting productivity in the deeper ocean waters.
Photic zone