What is Gross Primary Production (GPP) mainly defined as?

Gross Primary Production (GPP) is primarily defined as the total energy captured by primary producers through the process of photosynthesis. This encompasses all the energy that is converted from sunlight into chemical energy by plants and phytoplankton, which ultimately forms the foundation of the marine food web.

In this context, GPP represents the maximum potential energy available in an ecosystem, measured as the total organic substances produced. This total energy is crucial because it sets the upper limit on energy available for growth and reproduction of primary producers.

The concept of GPP is essential when studying marine ecosystems, as it provides insights into the productivity of these systems and their capacity to support various trophic levels. Understanding GPP is vital for evaluating ecosystem health and productivity, as well as for understanding food web dynamics in marine environments.