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The following is the equation for trophic level transfer efficiency: (production at present trophic level/production at past trophic level)\times100. If primary producers produce \(1600 \mathrm{kcal} / \mathrm{m}^{2},\) and primary consumers have 900 \(\mathrm{kcal} / \mathrm{m}^{2}\) what is the trophic level transfer efficiency? a. 50 b. 200 c. 800 d. 1600

Short Answer

Expert verified
The trophic level transfer efficiency is approximately 56%, but it does not match the provided options.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the Given Values

Note that primary producers produce 1600 kcal/m² and primary consumers have 900 kcal/m².
02

Write Down the Trophic Level Transfer Efficiency Formula

The formula for trophic level transfer efficiency (TLTE) is: \[ \text{TLTE} = \left( \frac{\text{production at present trophic level}}{\text{production at past trophic level}} \right) \times 100 \]
03

Insert the Given Values into the Formula

Substitute the given values into the formula to find the efficiency: \[ \text{TLTE} = \left( \frac{900 \text{ kcal/m}^2}{1600 \text{ kcal/m}^2} \right) \times 100 \]
04

Simplify the Fraction

Simplify the fraction inside the parentheses: \[ \frac{900}{1600} = 0.5625 \]
05

Calculate the Efficiency

Multiply the simplified fraction by 100 to find the percentage: \[ 0.5625 \times 100 = 56.25 \]%.
06

Choose the Correct Answer

Compare the computed value (56.25%) with the provided options. None of the options match exactly, indicating a potential mistake in either the problem statement or options. The closest logical consideration would be approximately 56.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Energy Transfer in Ecosystems
Energy transfer in ecosystems is the movement of energy through different trophic levels. These levels represent stages in food chains. The energy starts with primary producers. It is then transferred to various consumers.

Energy is lost during each transfer through several means. These include metabolic processes, heat loss, and incomplete digestion. Only a small fraction of the original energy makes it to the next level. This process is known as 'trophic level transfer efficiency' (TLTE).

Understanding energy transfer helps illustrate the efficiency of ecosystems. It shows why there are usually fewer top predators compared to primary producers.
Primary Producers
Primary producers are organisms that produce biomass from inorganic compounds. They form the base of an ecosystem's food chain.

Examples of primary producers include:
  • Plants
  • Algae
  • Cyanobacteria
These organisms capture solar energy through photosynthesis.
They create the energy-rich organic compounds that fuel the entire ecosystem.
Primary producers are crucial as they convert abiotic energy (like sunlight) into a form that other organisms can consume.
Primary Consumers
Primary consumers are organisms that eat primary producers. They are usually herbivores and are the second trophic level in a food chain.

Examples of primary consumers include:
  • Cows
  • Deer
  • Zebras
These animals gain their energy by consuming plants. Not all the energy from the plants is transferred to these primary consumers.
Some of it is lost as heat, waste, or used in metabolic processes. This results in lower energy content in primary consumers compared to primary producers.
Ecological Efficiency Calculation
Ecological efficiency, or trophic level transfer efficiency (TLTE), measures the percentage of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next.
It can be calculated using the formula:

\(\text{TLTE} = \frac{\text{production at present trophic level}}{\text{production at past trophic level}} \times 100\)
For example, if primary producers have 1600 kcal/m² and primary consumers have 900 kcal/m²:
  • Insert the values into the formula: \(\text{TLTE} = \frac{900}{1600} \times 100\)
  • Simplify the fraction: \(\frac{900}{1600} = 0.5625\)
  • Multiply by 100: \(\text{TLTE} = 0.5625 \times 100 = 56.25\text{%}\)

This calculation shows that 56.25% of the energy from primary producers is transferred to primary consumers, reflecting the energy loss inherent in ecosystem dynamics.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

If an ecosystem is considered to be highly resilient, what can be inferred about that ecosystem? a. The ecosystem is in a steady state. b. The ecosystem has the ability to remain in equilibrium despite disturbance. c. The ecosystem recovers quickly from disturbance. d. The ecosystem is exposed to disturbances.

How much carbon \(\left(\mathrm{g} / \mathrm{m}^{2}\right)\) is released into the atmosphere as a result of the metabolic activity of herbivores? Give your answer to the nearest whole number. a. 125 \(\mathrm{g} / \mathrm{m}^{2}\) carbon is released into the atmosphere as a result of the metabolic activity of herbivores. b. 65 \(\mathrm{g} / \mathrm{m}^{2}\) carbon is released into the atmosphere as a result of the metabolic activity of herbivores. c. 60 \(\mathrm{g} / \mathrm{m}^{2}\) carbon is released into the atmosphere as a result of the metabolic activity of herbivores. d. 5 \(\mathrm{g} / \mathrm{m}^{2}\) carbon is released into the atmosphere as a result of the metabolic activity of herbivores.

What is the process whereby nitrogen is brought into organic molecules called? a. nitrification b. denitrification c. nitrogen fixation d. nitrogen cycling

Why do scientists more commonly analyze net primary productivity compared with gross primary productivity? a. Net primary productivity incorporates features like production at present and next trophic levels, whereas gross primary productivity does not. b. Net primary productivity is the rate at which photosynthetic primary producers incorporate energy from the sun. c. As net primary productivity is the energy content available to the organisms of the next trophic level. d. As respiration and heat loss uses energy of the primary producer, therefore, net primary productivity is what is actually available to primary consumers.

Compare the three types of ecosystem pyramids and how well they describe ecosystem structure. Identify which ones can be inverted and give a specific example of an inverted pyramid for each. a. The three types of ecosystem pyramids are pyramids of energy, number and biomass out of which number and energy pyramids can be inverted. Examples of inverted pyramids of number and energy are temperate forests in summer and phytoplankton in the English Channel respectively. b. The three types of ecosystem pyramids are pyramids of energy, number and biomass out of which number and biomass pyramids can be inverted. Examples of inverted pyramids of number and biomass are temperate forests in summer and phytoplankton in the English Channel respectively. c. The three types of ecosystem pyramids are pyramids of energy, number and biomass out of which number and biomass pyramids can be inverted. Examples of inverted pyramids of number and biomass are temperate forests in summer and Silver Springs ecosystem in Florida respectively. d. The three types of ecosystem pyramids are pyramids of energy, number and biomass out of which number and biomass pyramids can be inverted. Examples of inverted pyramids of number and biomass are grasslands in summer and phytoplankton in the English Channel respectively.

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