BRAINCAKEGross Primary Productivity
Gross primary productivity (GPP) is the rate at which producers convert light energy into chemical energy in organic molecules by photosynthesis. It is the total energy fixed by the plants, per unit area per unit time, usually measured in kJ m−2 year−1.
GPP depends on how fast photosynthesis can happen, so it is affected by:
- light intensity and the length of the day
- temperature, which affects the enzymes of photosynthesis
- carbon dioxide concentration
- availability of water and mineral ions such as nitrate and magnesium
- the length of the growing season
- the leaf area available to absorb light
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More in The Efficiency of Ecosystems
- Inverted Pyramids of Numbers
- Energy Losses in Producers
- Energy Losses between Consumers
- Efficiency of Energy Transfer
- Net Primary Productivity
- The Limitations of Efficiency Calculations
- Energy Transfer and Food Chain Length
- Nutrient Recycling
All 20 lessons in The Efficiency of Ecosystems · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics