Terrestrial Production Processes

Prepared by: Nikki Rose D. Dapanas

BS Environmental Science III

Prof. Magdalyna Dulay

Course Outline:Chapter 1:Terrestrial Production Processes

OverviewGross Primary Production (GPP)

Plant Respiration

Course Outline:Chapter 1:Terrestrial Production Processes

Net Primary Production (NPP)

Net Ecosystem ProductionNet Ecosystem Exchange

Overview…The balance between gross primary production and ecosystem respiration determines the net carbon accumulation by the biosphere.

Overview…This chapter describes the factors that regulate the carbon balance of terrestrial vegetation and ecosystems.

Gross Primary Production (GPP)… total influx of carbon into an ecosystem through the photosynthetic fixation of CO2

Plant Respiration…

provides the energy for a plantacquire nutrients

produce & maintain biomass.

Net Primary Production (NPP)…gross carbon influx discounted for plant respiratory costs of growth and maintenance.

NPP= GPP-Respiration(Plant)

major carbon fluxes of an ecosystem. Carbon as GPP, through photosynthesis by plants. Roots and aboveground portions of plants return about half of this carbon to the atmosphere as plant respiration (Rplant).

Net Ecosystem Production (NEP)…measure of the rate of carbon accumulation in ecosystems

Net Ecosystem Production (NEP)…correlates more strongly w/time since disturbance than w/ environment

Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE)…provides a direct measure of the net CO2

exchange between ecosystems and the atmosphere.

Measuring GPP and NPP

Meteorological towers

SatellitesOther remote sensing devices

Figure 2: Meteorological towers like this one located in a temperate forest are distributed across ecosystems in all continents except Antarctica, providing assessments of carbon uptake by forest, grassland, desert, and crop ecosystems.

Terrestrial Primary Production and Global Changeclimate change is affecting the primary production of terrestrial ecosystems & conversely

Terrestrial Primary Production and Global Changeecosystems may moderate changes in global climate by absorbing anthropogenic CO2 emissions.

Terrestrial Primary Production and Global Changeimportant

ecosystem servicelocking up carbon in biomass that might exist in the atmosphere as CO2

Terrestrial Primary Production and Global Changeterrestrial NPP may be declining in response to global warming and accompanying drought

Terrestrial Primary Production and Global Changereduce carbon sequestration by terrestrial ecosystems

Terrestrial Primary Production and Global Changecompromise food

security disrupt the foundation of food webs.

What can we do?Reduce Anthropogenic CO2 emissions !!!

Thank You For Listening…

GOD BLESS EVERYONE