In an ecosystem, which measure of energy is the largest in amount or rate?

A) Net primary productivity
B) Gross primary productivity
C) Plant respiration
D) Animal respiration
E) Both plant and animal respiration

Gross Primary Productivity

The total rate at which photosynthetic organisms in an ecosystem convert carbon dioxide into organic carbon compounds.

Net Primary Productivity

The rate at which plants and other photosynthetic organisms produce organic compounds in an ecosystem minus the rate at which they use some of these compounds through respiration.

Plant Respiration

The process by which plants take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide, involved in energy production at the cellular level.