EasyBiologyHigh School (11–12)Ecology and Environment › Ecosystems and Food ChainsConceptualAPA-LevelIB
Five fields are described. In each, one thing limits the net primary productivity…
Contributed by StemPy LabTry it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
Five fields are described. In each, one thing limits the net primary productivity. Say whether it is a species and photosynthetic capacity, an environmental factor, or the availability of nutrients.
- A wheat field in dry weather, which has plenty of light and soil minerals.
- A field of a crop plant with a low photosynthetic capacity, in good weather and good soil.
- A field with good light and water, where the soil has very little nitrate.
- A field in the shade of a high wall for most of the day.
- A field that is cold for most of the year, with rich soil.
Need a reminder? The key ideaShow
Secondary productivity is the rate of formation of new organic matter by consumers. Primary productivity depends on the species, the environmental factors, the nutrients and the photosynthetic capacity. The scarcest factor sets the rate. For an animal, and .
The worked solution
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. (a) Dry weather means a shortage of water, which is an environmental factor.
Step 2. (b) The crop itself is the limit. This is the species and its photosynthetic capacity.
Step 3. (c) The shortage of nitrate is a shortage of a nutrient.
Step 4. (d) Shade means too little light, an environmental factor.
Step 5. (e) Cold means a low temperature, an environmental factor.
Answer: (a) environmental; (b) species and capacity; (c) nutrients; (d) environmental; (e) environmental.
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