I. General terms and definations
All organisms within the same trophic level obtain their energy from similar sources (sun, plants, herbivores, etc.)
A. Where is energy lost?
Not eaten
Not digested
Not metabolized
B. What is remaining energy used for?
Metabolized energy is termed assimilation
Assimilated energy is used for:
maintainance (resting energy, activity energy)
production
(growth, reproduction)
Only this last category represents the energy which can be passed on to the next trophic level.
C. Ecological efficiency calculations
Production efficiency = production / assimilation
values range from 0.86% (insectivores) - 55.6% (carnivorous insects)
2. Between trophic levels
Lindeman's Efficiency =
assimilation at trophic level n assimilation at trophic level n-1
values range from 15-20%
Consumption Efficiency =
gross energy intake at trophic level n production at trophic
level
n-1 values range from 20-25%