In an ecosystem, the total incident solar radiation is 2,000,000 J . The plants capture 1 % of this incident solar energy to form Gross Primary Productivity (GPP). If the respiratory loss (R) in plants is 20 % of their GPP, what amount of energy will be available to the secondary consumers?

Step-by-step solution

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) is the total energy captured by plants. Here, it is 1 % of the incident solar radiation. GPP = 1 % of 2,000,000 J = 20,000 J Net Primary Productivity (NPP) is the energy remaining after respiratory losses (R). R = 20 % of 20,000 J = 4,000 J NPP = GPP - R = 20,000 J - 4,000 J = 16,000 J The NPP is the energy available to the primary consumers (2nd trophic level). According to the 10% law, the energy available to the secondary consumers (3rd trophic level) will be 10% of the energy av