Question

At what time of the year does the respiration rate peak? How does that compare to the peak times of primary production? Why is there a lag between these two?

Answer 1

The respiration rate peaks during the summer months, while primary production peaks in the spring. There is a lag between these peak times due to the increased respiration consuming oxygen and decreasing primary production.

Step-by-step explanation:

The respiration rate peaks during the summer months. This is because warmer temperatures increase the metabolic activity of organisms, leading to an increase in respiration rate. On the other hand, primary production peaks in the spring when plants have optimal growing conditions and are able to carry out photosynthesis at a high rate. There is a lag between these two peak times because the increased respiration in the summer consumes more oxygen, resulting in lower oxygen levels for photosynthesis to occur, which leads to a decrease in primary production.