Question

The transfer of energy through a terrestrial ecosystem is often depicted by energy pyramids. Which of the following statement is true?

• A. Ecological efficiency is higher for top consumer.
• B. About $10\%$ of the energy from one tropic level is incorporated into biomass of the next trophic level.
• C. The energy lost as heat or in cellular respiration is $10\%$ of the available energy of each trophic level.
• D. Only $25\%$ of the energy in one trophic level is passed onto the next level.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

About $10\%$ of the energy from one tropic level is incorporated into biomass of the next trophic level.

The measure of vitality at each trophic dimension diminishes as it travels through a biological community. As meager as 10 percent of the vitality at any trophic dimension is exchanged to the following dimension; the rest is lost to a great extent through metabolic procedures as warmth.

So, the correct option is 'About 10% of the energy from one trophic level is incorporated into biomass of the next trophic level.'.