Why is most productivity in open ocean limited to surface waters?

Because of the density difference between surface water and the deep sea across most of the ocean, ocean circulation can only very slowly reintroduce dissolved nutrients to the euphotic zone. By driving nutrients out of the sunlit, buoyant surface waters, ocean productivity effectively limits itself.

1. Why is the open ocean so low in productivity?
2. What limits productivity in the ocean?
3. Why are coastal waters more productive than the open ocean?
4. What limits productivity in tropical oceans and why?
5. Why might open ocean have such low productivity quizlet?
6. What makes the ocean less productive?
7. Why are colder waters more productive?
8. Why do open oceans produce the largest share of Earth's biomass?
9. Why is the open ocean called a marine desert?
10. Why is the marine environment productive?
11. How does water limit primary productivity?
12. What limits primary productivity in tropical oceans?
13. Which part of the ocean is most productive?
14. Why do coral reefs tend to have such high biological productivity?
15. Why is productivity low in tropical regions quizlet?
16. What are the potential limiting factors for primary productivity?

Why is the open ocean so low in productivity?

In surface waters away from coastlines, generally there is plenty of sun but not enough nutrients. So most of the ocean surface is not very productive. The water is too deep for storms to stir up nutrients from the bottom and there isn't upwelling.

What limits productivity in the ocean?

Outside high-nutrient low-chlorophyll areas, productivity in most of the ocean (∼ 75%) is limited by the availability of inorganic nitrogen (Figure 1B), despite very low concentrations of iron and, in some cases, phosphate.

Why are coastal waters more productive than the open ocean?

Coastal waters are more productive than the central ocean for two main reasons. First, runoff from land often contains a high abundance of nutrients which get deposited in coastal waters and stimulate production.

What limits productivity in tropical oceans and why?

Productivity is low and limited because of lack of nutrients. The sun is more directly over head > light penetrates deeper into tropical ocean than in temperate and polar waters.

Why might open ocean have such low productivity quizlet?

Open ocean is low in productivity? The average NPP of the ocean is so low because the ocean's volume (mostly open space) in comparison to the amount of producers is massive.

What makes the ocean less productive?

(i) There is insufficient radiation as sunlight decreases with the increasing depth of the ocean. (ii) Oceans are nitrogen deficient which is an important nutrient for plants. (iii) Conditions oi high salinity which is not iavourable for all plants. (iv) there is no substratum to support plants.

Why are colder waters more productive?

Why is cold water more productive? Cold water can hold more dissolved oxygen than warm water. The levels of dissolved oxygen in Antarctic waters are so high that many fish have few or no red blood cells (the blood cells other animals, including humans, use to carry oxygen).

Why do open oceans produce the largest share of Earth's biomass?

Open oceans produce the largest share of Earth's biomass because the net primary productivity (NPP) of the ocean is... ... Both forest have the same gross primary productivity (GPP). Forest A has a net primary productivity of 1650 kcal/m^2/year, and forrest B has a net primary productivity of 1110 kcal/m^2/year.

Why is the open ocean called a marine desert?

So-called “ocean deserts” or “dead zones” are oxygen-starved (or “hypoxic”) areas of the ocean. ... Furthermore, warmer upper layers of water stifle the process that brings nutrients up from colder, deeper parts of the ocean to feed a wide range of surface-dwelling marine wildlife.

Why is the marine environment productive?

The most productive waters of the world are in regions of upwelling. Upwelling in coastal waters brings nutrients toward the surface. Phytoplankton reproduce rapidly in these conditions, and grazing zooplankton also multiply and provide abundant food supplies for nekton.

How does water limit primary productivity?

Lack of water is the main limit on primary production on the Earth's surface. It has been found that in any area where there is an adequate water supply there will be a large amount of primary production. Water is primarily supplied through rain and the Earth's weather system.

What limits primary productivity in tropical oceans?

Primary productivity in tropical oceans is limited by the amount of nutrients available.

Which part of the ocean is most productive?

Although they occupy less than two percent of the oceans, the coastal upwelling areas in the eastern parts of the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean are among the biologically most productive marine areas worldwide.

Why do coral reefs tend to have such high biological productivity?

Why are algae beds, coral reefs, and tropical rainforests so productive? They are minimally affected by human activities. Primary producers in these areas have few predators. They are located near warm ocean currents that provide the primary producers with nutrients.

Why is productivity low in tropical regions quizlet?

Biological productivity is low in tropical regions because the strong thermocline prevents the mixing of waters and movement of nutrients. ... Temperate regions have much higher productivity levels, but the productivity is not constant year round.

What are the potential limiting factors for primary productivity?

Net primary productivity varies among ecosystems and depends on many factors. These include solar energy input, temperature and moisture levels, carbon dioxide levels, nutrient availability, and community interactions (e.g., grazing by herbivores) 2.