Question

In a community, autotrophs generate 1,000 calories per hour of GPP and 500 calories per hour of NPP. Primary consumers convert 10 calories per hour into their own biomass. What is the ecological efficiency in the link between autotrophs and primary consumers in this community?

Answer 1

Answer:

Option B, 2 percent

Explanation:

Complete question is

In a community, autotrophs generate 1,000 calories per hour of GPP and 500 calories per hour of NPP. Primary consumers convert 10 calories per hour into their own biomass. What is the ecological efficiency in the link between autotrophs and primary consumers in this community?

1 percent

2 percent

20 percent

10 percent

Solution

Given

Autotrophs generating calories per hour of GPP $= 1000$

Autotrophs generating calories per hour of NPP $= 500$

The rate at which the primary consumers convert calories per hour into biomass is equal to $10$ calories per hour

The ecological efficiency is equal to" the rate of calorie conversion to biomass" divided by the net produced calories multiplied by $100$

Rearranging the above relation in a mathematical equation, we get -

$\frac{10}{500} * 100\\= 2$

Hence, option B is correct