Answer to Question #115825 in Ecology for Cesca

Question

The Arctic hare ingests 18,905 kJ m-2 yr-1 of food. Its net productivity is 2345kJm-2 yr-1. Calculate the total energy loss of the arctic hare.

Answer 1

According to the energy pyramid concept, only about 10 % of the energy stored in an organism will be stored in the organism that eats it.

In this case about Arctic hare next proportion can be used:

18,905 kJ m^-2yr^-1 — 100 %

2,345 kJm^-2 yr^-1 — x %

x = 12.4 % - food energy stored in the Arctic hare;

Total energy loss = 100 % - 12.4 % = 87.6 %

Total energy loss = 18905 - 2345 = 16560 kJ m^-2yr^-1

Answer: 87.6 % or 16560 kJ m^-2yr^-1