Energy transfer

between
trophic levels
OBJECTIVES
Carry out calculations of
net primary productivity
and explain the
relationship between gross
primary productivity, net
primary productivity and
plant respiration.
How much of the Suns
energy is actually converted
to organic matter?
Why?
 1-3%
90+% reflected back into space by dust and
clouds
Some wavelengths of light cannot be
absorbed by plants
Light might not fall on a chlorophyll molecule.
Other limiting factors restrict the rate of
photosynthesis such as CO2 concentration
and temperature.
DEFINITIONS
OF GPP AND
NPP
 GPP OR Gross Primary Productivity
is the total amount of light energy
fixed through photosynthesis in a
given period of time. Unit: kjm-
2year-1
20-50% used in respiration.
Net primary productivity or NPP is
the energy remaining after
respiration.
Net Production = Gross Production
Respiratory Losses
NPP=GPP R
FACTORS WHICH
AFFECT GPP
Answer
Why is the percentage of
energy transfer between
trophic levels so low?
 Not all the organism is consumed.
Not all parts are digestible so they are excreted.
Some energy is lost in excretory substances.
Considerable heat is lost by respiration.
What can be explained by
the inefficiency of energy
transfer between trophic
levels?
 The number of trophic levels being limited to 4
or 5, as there is insufficient energy to support a
breeding population at this stage.
Biomass decreases at higher trophic levels.
Less energy is stored at each trophic level.
Calculating
efficiency of
(Energy available after transfer Energy

energy
available before transfer) x 100

transfers
(kJ/m/year)
Glossary
Trophic level the position of an
organism in a food chain
Gross Production total amount of the
Suns energy converted to organic
matter
Net Production organic matter
available after respiratory/excretory
losses
Biomass total mass of living material
in a specific area at a given time.
Energy efficiency the percentage of
energy used after the transfer for
growth and other processes rather
than wasted.