ecological efficiency

• what is meant by gross ecological efficiency


  this is the measure of how much energy is transferred from one trophic level tot he next
• what is the formula for gross ecological efficiency


  (energy in trophic level)/(energy in previous trophic level) x 100
• what is the average gross ecological efficiency in ecosystems in general


  around 10%
• what is the average gross ecological efficiency in oceanic food chains


  around 40%
• what is the average gross ecological efficiency in food chains that involve birds and mammals


  as low as 1%
• why are oceanic food chains more efficient in energy transfer


  aquatic animals don't regulate their body temperatures ans therefore save a lot of energy
• why are food chains involving birds and mammals very inefficient in energy transfer between trophic levels


  they maintain their body temperature and this uses up a lot energy