In an ecosystem if the Net Primary Productivity (NPP) of first trophic level is $100 x\left(\mathrm{kcal}…

In an ecosystem if the Net Primary Productivity (NPP) of first trophic level is $100 x\left(\mathrm{kcal} \mathrm{m}^{-2}\right) \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$, what would be the GPP (Gross Primary Productivity) of the third trophic level of the same ecosystem?
  1. $x\left(\mathrm{kcal} \mathrm{m}^{-2}\right) \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$
  2. $10 x\left(\mathrm{kcal} \mathrm{m}^{-2}\right) \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$
  3. $\frac{100 x}{3 x}\left(\mathrm{kcal} \mathrm{m}^{-2}\right) \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$
  4. $\frac{x}{10}\left(\mathrm{kcal} \mathrm{m}^{-2}\right) \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$

Solution

NPP at first trophic level would be the GPP for second trophic level. NPP at second trophic level would be GPP for third trophic level. Therefore, $100 x\left(\mathrm{kcal} / \mathrm{m}^2 / \mathrm{yr}\right.$ ) would be GPP at second trophic level and $100 x \times 10 \%\left(\mathrm{kcal} / \mathrm{m}^2 / \mathrm{yr}\right)$ i.e., $10 x\left(\mathrm{kcal} / \mathrm{m}^2 / \mathrm{yr}\right)$ energy would be GPP at third trophic level.

Asked in: NEET 2024

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