Question

Loss of energy from one trophic level to next higher trophic level is
A. 30%
B. 40%
C. 60%
D. 90%

Answer 1

Energy is lost as it is transmitted between trophic levels. Ecological pyramid shows energy flow, biomass growth and number of individuals at different trophic levels.

Complete Answer:
To answer this question, first, we need to know the energy flow from one trophic level to another in the ecosystem. A huge quantity of energy is transferred from the environment between one trophic level to the other trophic level because energy transfers from the primary producers via the many trophic levels of decomposers and consumers.
Now, let us find the solution from the option.
Based on Lindemans trophic efficiency law, the 10% of energy is transmitted from one trophic level to another successive trophic level.

The remaining energy is 90% of energy that is released or lost during transition of energy from one trophic level to another higher trophic level. The first trophic level has the highest energy.

Additional information:
According to this law, during the transfer of organic food energy from one trophic level to the next higher level, only about ten percent of the transferred energy is stored as flesh. The remaining is lost during transfer, broken down in respiration, or lost to incomplete digestion by higher trophic level.

Thus, the correct option is “D”. i.e.90%.

Note: Productivity is the amount at which energy is got by organisms, like primary producers, in the shape of biomass. Gross productivity is the total amount of energy kept. Net productivity is lower. It's gross productivity adjusted for the energy used by the organisms in respiration/metabolism, so it reflects the amount of energy stored as biomass. Energy transmission between trophic levels is not very effective. Only around 10% of the energy of one level ends up as net productivity at another next level.