Question

math connections
analyze and interpret data
the graph below shows the effect of annual rainfall on the rate of primary productivity in an ecosystem. use this graph to answer questions 31 - 33.
the effect of rainfall on plant productivity

1. analyze data what happens to productivity as rainfall increases?
2. construct graphs what do you think the graph would look like if the x - axis were extended out to 6000 mm? represent your prediction in a graph and explain your answer.
3. draw conclusions what factors other than water might affect primary productivity?

Explanation:

31.

Step1: Observe the graph trend

As we can see from the graph, as the average annual rainfall (x - axis) increases from 0 to around 2000 - 3000 mm, the rate of plant tissue production (y - axis) increases. After reaching a certain point (around 2000 - 3000 mm of rainfall), the rate of plant tissue production levels off and does not increase significantly with further increase in rainfall.

Step1: Analyze the current graph behavior

The graph currently shows that productivity levels off around 2000 - 3000 mm of rainfall. If the x - axis is extended to 6000 mm, we can assume that the graph will continue to be relatively flat. There may be some minor fluctuations due to other factors not accounted for in this simple relationship, but overall, the rate of plant tissue production will not increase much more. To represent this, we can draw a horizontal - like line (with possible minor wiggles) starting from the point where the current graph levels off and extending to the 6000 mm mark on the x - axis.

Step1: Recall factors affecting primary productivity

Primary productivity is affected by factors such as sunlight availability (photosynthesis requires sunlight), temperature (affects enzyme activity in plants), nutrient availability (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium are essential for plant growth), and carbon - dioxide concentration (a raw material for photosynthesis).

Answer:

As rainfall increases from 0 to around 2000 - 3000 mm, productivity increases. After that, productivity levels off and does not increase significantly with more rainfall.

32.