Ecomare

Primary production is the basis of the ecosystem. Via secondary production, the nutrients produced by the plants are used by the animals to build up their biomass. Usually, secondary production is the weight increase (buildup of biomass) for all animals over a year. All of the fish caught in the North Sea are secondary producers. The yearly increase in weight of all benthic animals and the zooplankton contribute to the secondary production. The amount of secondary production is dependent upon the size of the primary production as well as the number of animals that profit from the primary production and the efficiency with which the animal can build up its biomass from the nutrients. This is dependent upon the animal species and the size and age of the animal.