What is primary production ?

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Definition of Primary Production**: Primary production refers to the process by which autotrophs (organisms that produce their own food) convert light energy or chemical energy into organic compounds. This is a fundamental process in ecosystems as it forms the basis of the food chain.

2. **Role of Autotrophs**: Autotrophs, such as plants, algae, and some bacteria, are the primary producers in an ecosystem. They utilize sunlight (in the case of photosynthetic organisms) or inorganic compounds (in the case of chemosynthetic organisms) to synthesize organic matter.

3. **Measurement of Primary Production**: Primary production is typically measured in terms of energy (e.g., kilocalories or joules) or biomass (e.g., grams of carbon per square meter per year). It indicates the amount of energy that is captured and stored by autotrophs in a given area over a specific time period.

...