Q. Select the formula for ecological efficiency.
A) $\frac{Gross\ primary\ productivity}{Incident\ total\ solar\ radiatio\ } \times 100$
B) $\frac{Food\ energy\ assimilated}{Food\ energy\ ingested\ \ } \times 100$
C) $\frac{Net\ primary\ productivity\ }{Gross\ primary\ productivity\ \ } \times 100$
D) $\frac{\begin{array}{r}
Energy\ in\ biomass\ production \\
\ at\ trophic\ level\
\end{array}}{\begin{array}{r}
Energy\ in\ biomass\ production\ \\
at\ previous\ trophic\ level\ \
\end{array}} \times 100$
Explanation
Ecological efficiency or trophic level efficiency refers to the percentage of energy converted into biomass by a higher trophic level over the energy of food resources available at the lower trophic level. The formula is as follows : Ecological efficiency$=$ $\frac{\begin{array}{r}
Energy\ in\ biomass\ production \\
\ at\ trophic\ level\
\end{array}}{\begin{array}{r}
Energy\ in\ biomass\ production\ \\
at\ previous\ trophic\ level\ \
\end{array}} \times 100$
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.