Connection journal about productivity - Essay Example

unit A Connection Journal: Productivity Productivity starts from the primary producers. These are the plants in the ecosystem. However, Autotrophs are also primary producers as they take in energy from the sun to produce glucose. The chain of production is long and this journal explores all the steps involved in the production. In secondary production, the main source of energy is the heterotrophs. They produce the chemical energy and the herbivores feed on them. Energy flows through the species in a cycle that is dependent of each other.

In an ecosystem, the production and movement of energy is greatly influenced by abiotic and biotic components. The Sun is the fundamental wellspring of vitality. However, some of the productivity are linked to the sun but not all depend on the sun. In chemosynthetic autotrophs fix carbon into the ecosystem by use of chemical energy a good example is the symbiotic bacteria. ` GPP (Gross primary Productivity) is highest when the annual carbon flow is highest and during this time, Net primary productivity (NPP) is lowest and respiration among the animals is lowest.

Oceanic NPP is highest near the continental shelves. The main reason is the availability of nutrients from inland and penetration of sunlight that favors primary production in the productivity chain (Sala 34). Terrestrial NPP is highest in temperate areas that are moist and warm. Terrestrial NPP is influenced by moisture, temperature and the species in regard to their response capabilities. NPP biomass gain by the plants = The GPP(carbon fixed) – Respiration In conclusion, all these factors affect the flow energy and productivity of energy in the ecosystem.

Works citedSala, Osvaldo E. Methods in Ecosystem Science. 1st ed. New York: Springer, 2000. Print.