Write the classification of productivity of an ecosystem.

Explanation

The rate of biomass production per unit area in a unit time is called productivity. It can be expressed in terms of gm /`m^(2)`/year or Kcal/`m^(2)`/ year. Productivity of an ecosystem classified as:
(i) Primary productivity
(ii) Secondary productivity
(iii) Community productivity
I. Primary productivity:
The chemical energy or organic matter generated by autotrophs during the process of photosynthesis and chemosynthesis is called primary productivity. It is the source of energy for all organisms, from bacteria to human.
a. Gross Primary Productivity (GPP): The total amount of food energy or organic matter or biomass produced in an ecosystem by autotrophs through the process of photosynthesis is called gross primary productivity.
b. Net Primary Productivity (NPP):
The proportion of energy which remains after respiration loss in the plant is called net primary productivity. It is also called as apparent photosynthesis. Thus the difference between GPP and respiration is known as NPP. NPP = GPP - Respiration
2. Secondary productivity:
The amount of energy stored in the tissues of heterotrophs or consumers is called secondary productivity
a. Gross secondary productivity:
It is equivalent to the total amount of plant material is ingested by the herbivores minus the materials lost as faeces.
b. Net secondary productivity:
Storage of energy or biomass by consumers per unit area per unit time, after respiratory loss is called net secondary productivity.
3. Community productivity:
The rate of net synthesis of organic matter (biomass) by a group of plants per unit area per unit time is known as community productivity.