Given below are two statements: Statement I: Gross primary productivity minus respiration losses is the biomass available for consumption to heterotrophs. Statement II: Secondary productivity is defined as the rate of formation of new organic matter by decomposers. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Step-by-step solution

Statement I is correct. Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) minus respiration losses (R) gives Net Primary Productivity (NPP). According to NCERT, NPP is the available biomass for the consumption to heterotrophs (herbivores and decomposers). Statement II is incorrect. Secondary productivity is defined as the rate of formation of new organic matter by consumers, not decomposers. Students often confuse the roles of consumers and decomposers in secondary productivity. Answer: Statement I is correct but Statement II is in