Transfer of Biomass

BIOMASS TRANSFER between trophic levels is highly INEFFICIENT. Typically, only about 10% of biomass from one trophic level makes it to the next level. This is because:

• A significant amount of biomass is not consumed or absorbed. Parts of plants and animals, like bones, are NOT EATEN, thus not all biomass is transferred to the next level.
• Not all ingested material is converted into new biomass. Much of it is egested as faeces or lost through metabolic processes as waste products like CARBON DIOXIDE and WATER.
• Biomass used in RESPIRATION to provide energy for movement and warmth is not available to pass on to the next trophic level.

You can calculate EFFICIENCY OF BIOMASS TRANSFER by using the following formula:

Here's an example: