The net annual primary productivity of a particular wetland ecosystem is found to be 8,000 kcal/m2 per year. If respiration by the aquatic producers is 12,000 kcal/m2 per year, what is the gross annual primary productivity for this ecosystem, in kcal/m2 per year?

20,000 kcal/m2 per year

Explanation:

Data provided in the question:

Net annual primary productivity of a particular wetland ecosystem

= 8,000 kcal/m2 per year

Respiration by the aquatic producers = 12,000 kcal/m2 per year

Now,

The gross annual primary productivity for this ecosystem will be equal to the sum of all the ecosystem and the producer in the overall ecosystem

Therefore,

gross annual primary productivity for this ecosystem

= 8,000 kcal/m2 per year + 12,000 kcal/m2 per year

= 20,000 kcal/m2 per year