Class 10 Botany simulations · Our Environment

Gross and net primary productivity

Plants fix energy by photosynthesis (GPP) and use some of it in respiration. What remains (NPP) is food for consumers.

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What to notice

Although oceans cover about 70% of the surface, their productivity is only about 55 billion tons of the biosphere’s 170.

Key relation

NPP = GPP − R

Try this

Increase respiration losses. How much is left for herbivores?

What you can change

• Gross primary productivity: 500 to 5000 g/m²/yr
• Respiration losses: 20 to 80 %

More in Our Environment

• Decomposition of detritus
• Pyramid of energy (10 per cent law)
• Food chain: energy flow and biological magnification

See all Class 10 Botany simulations or every Physica simulation.