After gross primary productivity (GPP) occurs in an ecosystem, energy is lost through processes such as respiration, heat loss, and consumption by other organisms. This results in a decrease in the amount of energy available for further growth and development within the ecosystem.
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.
When the sun hits nutrients, photosynthesis occurs, allowing plants and algae to convert sunlight into energy. This process greatly increases the amount of food available, supporting a larger population of organisms in the ecosystem. This increase in food availability can lead to a boost in biodiversity and overall ecosystem productivity.
The theory that the level of primary productivity increases at the equatorial approach is relatedÊto what is called theÊlatitudinal diversity gradient. Basically, it occurs because the numbers of species are higher near the tropic zone than at the poles. There is an increase in solar energy at lower latitudes orÊthe equator that causes an increase in net primary productivity or photosynthesis. With more plants availability at lower latitudes, more species can be supported in these regions.
A simple model that shows how energy is transferred within an ecosystem is the trophic pyramid. It illustrates how energy flows from producers (plants) to primary consumers (herbivores), then to secondary consumers (carnivores), and finally to tertiary consumers (top predators). As you move up the pyramid, each level receives only about 10% of the energy from the level below it, representing the energy loss that occurs at each trophic level.
These benefits are all associated with biodiversity. High biodiversity can lead to higher productivity as each species plays a unique role in maintaining ecosystem functions. A more stable ecosystem can result from a diverse array of species, providing resilience against disturbances. Reduced competition occurs when there are sufficient niches available for different species to coexist harmoniously.
A breeze that occurs at night
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.
When the sun hits nutrients, photosynthesis occurs, allowing plants and algae to convert sunlight into energy. This process greatly increases the amount of food available, supporting a larger population of organisms in the ecosystem. This increase in food availability can lead to a boost in biodiversity and overall ecosystem productivity.
primary succession
The theory that the level of primary productivity increases at the equatorial approach is relatedÊto what is called theÊlatitudinal diversity gradient. Basically, it occurs because the numbers of species are higher near the tropic zone than at the poles. There is an increase in solar energy at lower latitudes orÊthe equator that causes an increase in net primary productivity or photosynthesis. With more plants availability at lower latitudes, more species can be supported in these regions.
The primary source of the sun's energy is nuclear fusion. This process occurs in the sun's core, where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing vast amounts of energy in the form of light and heat.
A simple model that shows how energy is transferred within an ecosystem is the trophic pyramid. It illustrates how energy flows from producers (plants) to primary consumers (herbivores), then to secondary consumers (carnivores), and finally to tertiary consumers (top predators). As you move up the pyramid, each level receives only about 10% of the energy from the level below it, representing the energy loss that occurs at each trophic level.
These benefits are all associated with biodiversity. High biodiversity can lead to higher productivity as each species plays a unique role in maintaining ecosystem functions. A more stable ecosystem can result from a diverse array of species, providing resilience against disturbances. Reduced competition occurs when there are sufficient niches available for different species to coexist harmoniously.
Secondary succession is the series of changes that occur after a disturbance (like a forest fire or hurricane) in an ecosystem.Do not confuse this with primary succession, which is a gradual growth of an ecosystem over a long period of time after a disturbance, such as a volcano that erupted.The difference is that secondary succession occurs when some vegetation and soil remaining after the disturbance, whereas primary succession occurs when very little or no vegetation or soil is present.
light energy is converted to chemical energy i.e. sunlight is converted to starch during photosynthesis.
A volcano erupting, or an earthquake.
Primary succession and secondary succession differ in several key factors. Primary succession occurs in areas where no soil is present, such as on bare rock or sand, while secondary succession occurs in areas where soil is already present. Primary succession takes much longer to establish a stable ecosystem, as it involves the formation of soil and the colonization of pioneer species. In contrast, secondary succession occurs more rapidly, as it involves the reestablishment of an ecosystem following a disturbance that has left the soil intact.