Which of the following is the best definition of ecological efficiency?

Question

Accepted Answer

Step 1: Define ecological efficiency — it measures how much energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next.

Step 2: Express as a ratio/formula: ecological efficiency is given by $	ext{efficiency} = \dfrac{E_{n}}{E_{n-1}}	imes 100\%$, where $E_{n}$ is the energy available at trophic level $n$ and $E_{n-1}$ at the previous level.

Step 3: Evaluate options: (1) and (2) state amounts, not ratios; (3) mixes mass and energy which is incorrect. (4) correctly states it is the ratio between energy flows at different points (trophic levels) in a food chain, matching the definition and formula above.

FINAL_ANSWER: d

Answer

Answer

Answer