The speed of energy in which it converts into the organic matter with the help of chlorophyll is known as primary productivity. Primary productivity can be affected by various factors like light, water, and nutrients. The two main types of primary productivity are Net primary productivity (NPP) and gross primary productivity (GPP). If we compare NPP VS. GPP, both are different in terms of chlorophyll dependency and terms of producer and consumers. NPP can be affected and calculated by the GPP.
Let’s take a closer look at GPP vs. NPP:
| Chlorophyll dependency | GPP is totally dependent on chlorophyll, while NPP is not. |
| Links | GPP is linked to producers while NPP is linked to consumer |
| Stands for | GPP stands for gross primary productivity while NPP is net primary productivity |
Table of Contents
What is Gross primary productivity (GPP)?
Gross primary productivity is the rate at which producers of the ecosystem provide the amount of energy stored and captured by them. In short, gross primary productivity is the amount of food produced by the producers. It depends upon the chlorophyll content. While productivity means new energy is entering the ecosystem. And the energy produced by GPP is also used in cellular level respiration and growth of the plants. GPP is totally dependent upon the producers and directly relates to NPP.
What is Net primary productivity (NPP)?
The loss of energy during the process of gross primary productivity is known as net primary productivity. It is completely dependent on the Gross primary productivity. If the GPP decreases due to any factor, then the NPP will also decrease. It can also be affected by climate, nutrients, soil quality, and the environment. NPP can be used to check out the well-being of the plants and if they are functioning properly. It is also used to calculate the yield of crops in different sectors.
5 key differences between Gross primary productivity and Net primary productivity
| Components | GPP | NPP |
|---|---|---|
| Chlorophyll content | Gross primary productivity is dependent upon the chlorophyll content | Net primary productivity is not dependent on chlorophyll |
| Calculation | Gross primary productivity can be calculated by measuring the energy used in respiration. | NPP can be calculated by excluding the respiration from the gross primary productivity |
| Inter-dependency | It doesn’t depend upon net primary productivity | It totally depends upon gross primary productivity |
| Inclusion of respiration | The respiration process is included in gross primary productivity | The respiration process is excluded in net primary productivity |
| Directly matter to | It directly matters to producers | It directly matters to consumers |
Gross primary productivity vs. Net primary productivity Pros and cons
Pros and cons of Gross primary productivity
Pros of Gross primary productivity
- Gross primary productivity is very important to understand the energy balance between plants and the ecosystem.
- Because of the gross primary productivity, another living organism can get energy, and it also affects the growth and development of plants.
Cons of Gross primary productivity
- It is totally dependent upon the chlorophyll content.
- It can be affected by nutrients and sunlight.
Pros and cons of Net primary productivity
Pros of Net primary productivity
- Net primary productivity helps in measuring plant growth and functioning.
- It helps different sectors check the yield of crops and provides information for resource management.
Cons of Net primary productivity
- It is totally linked with the GPP; if the GPP decreases due to any reason, the NPP will also decrease.
- It can be affected by a lot of factors like climate, environment, quality of soil, and nutrients.
Comparison Chart
Comparison Video
Gross primary productivity vs. Net primary productivity FAQs
What is the difference between net primary productivity and gross primary productivity?
The main difference is that the net primary production is the energy fixed by autotrophs’ respiration, while gross primary productivity is the biological productivity of the ecosystem.
How do you calculate gross and net primary productivity?
The gross primary productivity is the measurement of energy used in respiration, while net primary productivity is calculated by excluding respiration from gross primary productivity.
What is the relationship between gross primary and net primary productivity?
The gross primary and net primary productivity are directly related; if gross primary productivity decreases, the net primary productivity automatically decreases.
How is GPP measured?
GPP can be measured by calculating the decrease in the DO when in the dark. GPP= NPP+R
What are the three types of production?
Primary production, secondary production, and community production
What are the four factors of production?
Labor, land, capital, and entrepreneurship
Why are GPP and NPP important?
GPP and NPP are both important in understanding the balance of energy between plants and the ecosystem.
What is high net primary productivity?
The energy loss during GPP is the net primary productivity. The high net primary productivity occurs in essential environments like rainforests.
Why is NPP more useful than GPP?
The NPP is more important as it is used to measure the difference between GPP and respiration.
Conclusion
Gross primary productivity and net primary productivity are established to get important information for the measurement of the production of energy, specifically organic energy. These measurements can help examine energy production and determine various factors that affect them. Gross primary productivity (GPP) and net primary productivity (NPP) are different from each other on their chlorophyll dependency, link with producer and consumers, and calculations. The GPP greatly affects NPP; if GPP is decreased, NPP also decreases.
