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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 from

Whittaker RH (1975) Communities and Ecosystems. London, Collier-Macmillan cited in Tivy J (1993) Biogeography A Study of Plants in the Ecosphere. Longman Scientific & Technical

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