What is the ten percent rule of energy flow?

The ten percent rule of energy flow states that only about ten percent of the energy available at one trophic level is transferred to the next trophic level. This means that most of the energy that is consumed by organisms is lost as heat or used for respiration, and only a small fraction is actually passed on to the next level.

The ten percent rule is a general rule of thumb that applies to all ecosystems, but there are some exceptions. For example, in some ecosystems, such as coral reefs, the transfer of energy between trophic levels can be as high as twenty percent. However, in most cases, the ten percent rule is a good approximation.

The ten percent rule has a number of important implications for the structure and function of ecosystems. For example, it helps to explain why there are fewer top predators than herbivores and primary producers. This is because the energy that is lost at each trophic level means that there is less energy available to support top predators.

The ten percent rule also has implications for the conservation of ecosystems. For example, if a certain species of herbivore is removed from an ecosystem, the energy that would have been transferred to that herbivore will be lost. This can have a negative impact on the entire ecosystem, as the loss of energy can cause the populations of other species to decline.

Understanding the ten percent rule can help us to better understand how ecosystems work and how to best manage them.