What Advantage Would There Be for an Ecosystem Ecologist to Measure

question 30

Multiple Choice

What advantage would there be for an ecosystem ecologist to measure net ecosystem production (NEP) instead of net primary production (NPP) ?

• A) NPP cannot be expressed in energy/unit of area/unit of time.
• B) NEP can be expressed in terms of carbon fixed by photosynthesis for an entire ecosystem, minus respiration by producers, allowing the measurement of net CO₂ flux.
• C) NEP represents the amount of energy from light converted to chemical energy, minus the energy used by all organisms for cellular respiration, which could indicate whether or not carbon is being stored.
• D) NPP shows the rate at which the standing crop is utilized by consumers.

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Definitions:

Secondary Aging

The process of physical decline exacerbated by unhealthy habits and environmental factors, in contrast to aging that occurs due to genetic factors.

Programmed Aging

The theory that aging results from an organism's genetic programming, suggesting that the process of aging is predetermined and built into the biology of an organism.

Primary Aging

The gradual and inevitable process of bodily deterioration that occurs throughout life, unaffected by disease or environmental factors.

Longevity

The length of time that an individual lives or a thing exists, often referring to a life span exceeding the average.