Net production in biology refers to the net amount of energy or carbon that remains in an ecosystem after accounting for the energy or carbon respired by plants and other organisms. It represents the overall gain or loss of energy or carbon in an ecosystem. Net production is closely related to the concepts of net ecosystem production (NEP) and net primary production (NPP).
Key Facts
- Net ecosystem production (NEP): Net ecosystem production is the total carbon or energy that remains in an ecosystem after accounting for the carbon respired by plants and other organisms. It represents the net gain or loss of carbon in an ecosystem.
- Net primary production (NPP): Net primary production refers to the amount of carbon or energy that is taken up by plants (autotrophs) through photosynthesis, minus the carbon that the plants respire through cellular respiration. NPP represents the energy available for consumption by herbivores and higher trophic levels.
- Energy flow and productivity: Net production is related to the concept of productivity in biology. Productivity refers to the rate at which energy or biomass is produced in an ecosystem. Net production takes into account the energy lost through respiration and represents the overall chemical energy available for use.
Net Ecosystem Production (NEP)
Net ecosystem production (NEP) is the total carbon or energy that remains in an ecosystem after accounting for the carbon respired by plants and other organisms. It represents the net gain or loss of carbon in an ecosystem. NEP is calculated as follows:
NEP = GPP - R
Where:
- GPP is the gross primary production, which is the total amount of carbon or energy taken up by plants through photosynthesis.
- R is the total amount of carbon or energy respired by plants and other organisms.
A positive NEP indicates that the ecosystem is a net producer of carbon or energy, while a negative NEP indicates that the ecosystem is a net consumer of carbon or energy.
Net Primary Production (NPP)
Net primary production (NPP) refers to the amount of carbon or energy that is taken up by plants (autotrophs) through photosynthesis, minus the carbon that the plants respire through cellular respiration. NPP represents the energy available for consumption by herbivores and higher trophic levels. NPP is calculated as follows:
NPP = GPP - R_p
Where:
- GPP is the gross primary production, which is the total amount of carbon or energy taken up by plants through photosynthesis.
- R_p is the amount of carbon or energy respired by plants.
NPP is an important measure of the productivity of an ecosystem, as it represents the amount of energy available to support higher trophic levels.
Energy Flow and Productivity
Net production is related to the concept of productivity in biology. Productivity refers to the rate at which energy or biomass is produced in an ecosystem. Net production takes into account the energy lost through respiration and represents the overall chemical energy available for use.
Productivity can be measured at different trophic levels. Primary productivity refers to the rate at which energy is captured by autotrophs, such as plants and algae. Secondary productivity refers to the rate at which energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next.
The efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels is typically low, with only about 10% of the energy at one trophic level being transferred to the next. This means that there is a gradual decrease in energy availability as you move up the food chain.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_ecosystem_production
- https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/ecology/intro-to-ecosystems/a/energy-flow-primary-productivity
- https://www.savemyexams.com/a-level/biology/aqa/17/revision-notes/5-energy-transfers-in–between-organisms-a-level-only/5-3-energy–ecosystems-a-level-only/5-3-5-net-primary-production/
FAQs
What is net production in biology?
Net production in biology refers to the net amount of energy or carbon that remains in an ecosystem after accounting for the energy or carbon respired by plants and other organisms. It represents the overall gain or loss of energy or carbon in an ecosystem.
How is net ecosystem production (NEP) calculated?
NEP is calculated as follows:
Copy
NEP = GPP - R
Where:
- GPP is the gross primary production, which is the total amount of carbon or energy taken up by plants through photosynthesis.
- R is the total amount of carbon or energy respired by plants and other organisms.
What is net primary production (NPP)?
NPP refers to the amount of carbon or energy that is taken up by plants (autotrophs) through photosynthesis, minus the carbon that the plants respire through cellular respiration. NPP represents the energy available for consumption by herbivores and higher trophic levels.
How is NPP calculated?
NPP is calculated as follows:
Copy
NPP = GPP - R_p
Where:
- GPP is the gross primary production, which is the total amount of carbon or energy taken up by plants through photosynthesis.
- R_p is the amount of carbon or energy respired by plants.
What is the relationship between net production and productivity?
Net production is related to the concept of productivity in biology. Productivity refers to the rate at which energy or biomass is produced in an ecosystem. Net production takes into account the energy lost through respiration and represents the overall chemical energy available for use.
How efficient is energy transfer between trophic levels?
The efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels is typically low, with only about 10% of the energy at one trophic level being transferred to the next. This means that there is a gradual decrease in energy availability as you move up the food chain.
What are some factors that affect net production?
Net production can be affected by a variety of factors, including:
- Availability of sunlight
- Temperature
- Water availability
- Nutrient availability
- Herbivory
- Competition
Why is net production important?
Net production is important because it represents the amount of energy or carbon that is available to support higher trophic levels and sustain the overall functioning of an ecosystem. It also provides insights into the health and stability of an ecosystem.