Ten Percent (10%) Law: Ten percent
law for transfer of energy from one trophic level to the next was
introduced by Lindeman (1942). According to this law, during the
transfer of energy from organic food from one trophic level to the next,
only about ten percent of the of energy from organic matter is stored
as flesh. The remaining is lost during transfer, broken down in
respiration, or lost to incomplete digestion by higher trophic levels.
The ten percent law suggests or implies that exactly 90% of the energy
is lost in the transfer at each trophic level, and that only 10% is
passed on as useable biological energy. That implied preciseness is
misleading, however, and is one of the reasons that many scientists
discount the concept, even label it a myth. Instead, it should be
considered a rule of thumb, a teaching device, or perhaps best, a
mnemonic device that serves as a reminder of the striking inefficiencies
of natural systems.
So if there are 40,000 kg of
producers, how many kg of primary consumers are there? 40,000 kg/ 10 =
4,000 kg. How many kg of secondary consumers? 400 kg How many kg of
tertiary consumers? 40 kg
Questions based on Ten Percent Law:
Q.1 Ten percent law is given by
A. Lindmann
B. Goldmann
C. Beckmann
D. None of these
Ans: A
Q.2
If the energy available to the plants from the sun is 20,000J. What
would be the energy available to the lion in the food chain , Plant?
Dear? Lion
A. 20J
B. 200J
C. 2000J
D. 20000J
Ans: B
