Question

scientists calculated the net primary productivity at two forest sites. both forests have the same gross primary productivity. forest a has a net primary productivity of 1,650 kcal/m²/year, and forest b has a net primary productivity of 1,110 kcal/m²/year. which of the following statements is best supported by the data? a forest a has a higher rate of decomposition by bacteria than forest b. b forest a has more biodiversity than forest b. c forest a producers have lower rates of cellular respiration than forest b producers d forest a producers have more biomass than forest b producers

Explanation:

Net primary productivity (NPP) is calculated as gross primary productivity (GPP) minus the rate of cellular respiration by producers (R). Since GPP is the same for both forests, and NPP of forest A ($1650\ kcal/m^{2}/year$) is higher than that of forest B ($1110\ kcal/m^{2}/year$), it implies that the rate of cellular respiration in forest A producers is lower than in forest B producers. Decomposition rate, biodiversity and biomass are not directly related to this NPP - GPP relationship in this context.

Answer:

C. Forest A producers have lower rates of cellular respiration than forest B producers