5.1.7 - Calculating The Efficiency Of Biomass & Energy Transfers

Question 1

How Is Energy Transferred Through Living Organisms Of An Ecosystem?
(4 Points)

Answer 1

~ When primary consumers eat the plant, the chemical energy stored in plant biomass is passed to them.

~ Primary consumers use the stored chemical energy to fuel respiration or build up biomass, which is transferred to its tissues.

~ Secondary consumers eat the primary consumer, the chemical energy in the biomass of the primary consumer is passed on.

~ This continues up the trophic levels.

Question 2

What Happens To The Organisms Biomass, When It Dies?

Answer 2

Chemical energy stored in biomass, is passed onto decomposers.

Question 3

How Is Energy Lost In Between Trophic Levels?
(2 Points)

Answer 3

~ Not all sunlight is available to be used to build biomass, some is reflected or not absorbed.

~ Energy can be lost to the environment. E.g. Respiration, some parts of consumers cant be eaten, some food is not digestible.

Question 4

How Can The Efficiency Of Energy Transfer Be Calculated?

Answer 4

(Net Productivity / Energy Received) x 100

Question 5

How Can Net Productivity Be Calculated?

Answer 5

Energy Losses - Energy Received

Question 6

How Can The Efficiency Of Biomass Transfer From One Trophic Level To The Next Be Calculated?

Answer 6

(Biomass Transferred / Biomass Intake) x 100