Which of the following is the unit of productivity of an Ecosystem?
- kcal m-3
- (kcal m-2) yr-1
- g m-2
- kcal m-2
Answer
(2) (kcal m-2) yr-1
Solution
Productivity is the rate of biomass production, i.e. energy (or mass) per unit area per unit time.
It is expressed as g m-2 yr-1 or (kcal m-2) yr-1.
g m-2 and kcal m-2 have no time term (they express standing crop/biomass), and kcal m-3 is per unit volume.
Answer: (2)