Question

Consider the following statements.

1. Primary productivity depends on the plant species inhabiting a particular area and it varies in different types of ecosystems.

2. Even though oceans occupy about 70 percent of the surface, the productivity of the land is more compared to the productivity on the Ocean.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2 
4. Neither 1 or 2

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Both 1 and 2 

The correct answer is Both 1 and 2.

• Primary production is defined as the amount of biomass or organic matter produced per unit area over a time period by plants during photosynthesis.
• Primary productivity depends on the plant species inhabiting a particular area.
  • It also depends on a variety of environmental factors, availability of nutrients and photosynthetic capacity of plants.
  • Therefore, it varies in different types of ecosystems. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The annual net primary productivity of the whole biosphere is approximately 170 billion tons(dry weight) of organic matter.
  • Of this, despite occupying about 70 percent of the surface, the productivity of the oceans are only 55 billion tons.
  • Rest of course, is on land. Hence, statement 2 is correct