Ecosystem Dynamics and Primary Production Quiz

Primary Productivity

• The overall amount of biomass produced by primary producers in an ecosystem is referred to as primary productivity.
• Primary producers, such as plants and phytoplankton, convert CO2 into organic compounds through photosynthesis.

Trophic Levels

• Carnivores that feed on carnivores occupy the apex predator trophic level.

Photosynthesis

• The primary process responsible for the production of organic compounds from CO2 through photosynthesis is light-dependent reactions.

Terrestrial Primary Productivity

• The most highly correlated variables with terrestrial primary productivity are temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation.

Marine Primary Productivity

• The highest rates of primary production by marine phytoplankton are generally concentrated in upwelling regions, coastal areas, and near river mouths, where nutrient availability is high.