What is the term used to describe the rate of formation of new organic matter by consumers?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Secondary productivity
Productivity is the rate of biomass production in an ecosystem. Primary productivity is the rate at which plants make organic matter by photosynthesis. Secondary productivity is the rate at which consumers form new organic matter (their own body mass) from the food they eat.
NCERT Extract:
Productivity – “… Gross primary productivity minus respiration losses (R), is the net primary productivity (NPP).
GPP – R = NPP
Net primary productivity is the available biomass for the consumption to heterotrophs (herbiviores and decomposers). Secondary productivity is defined as the rate of formation of new organic matter by consumers.”