Question

which of the following is the correct way to calculate ecological efficiency? net production energy of trophic level z divided by net production energy of trophic level z minus 1 net production energy of trophic level z minus net production energy of trophic level z plus 1 consumed energy divided by net production energy of the next lower trophic level net production energy divided by assimilation energy

Answer 1

Trophic level transfer efficiency (TLTE) is the measure of ecological efficiency, calculated by the formula: (Net production energy at current trophic level / Net production energy at previous trophic level) x 100.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct way to calculate ecological efficiency, specifically trophic level transfer efficiency (TLTE), is by using the formula:

TLTE = (Net production energy of trophic level Z / Net production energy of trophic level Z-1) × 100

TLTE is used to measure the efficiency of energy transfer between two successive trophic levels in an ecosystem. For example, if primary producers in an ecosystem produce 1600 kcal/m² and primary consumers at the next trophic level have 900 kcal/m² of energy, then the TLTE would be:

TLTE = (900 / 1600) × 100 = 56.25%

It's important to note that usually only about 10 percent of the energy at one level is available to the next trophic level. This is due to the energy used for metabolic processes or given off to the environment as heat, based on the concept of net primary productivity.