Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)

Definition

GPP refers to the total amount of energy that is captured by plants through photosynthesis in a given area or ecosystem.

Analogy

Imagine GPP as the total amount of money you earn from your part-time job. It represents all the money you make before any deductions or expenses.

Related terms

Net Primary Productivity (NPP): NPP is the amount of energy that remains after plants use some of the captured energy for their own respiration.

Respiration: Respiration is the process by which organisms, including plants, release stored energy from organic compounds to carry out life functions.

Photosynthesis: Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms convert sunlight into chemical energy in the form of glucose.