What percentage of energy is typically passed from one trophic level to the next?

In an ecological context, energy transfer through trophic levels in a food chain is governed by the laws of thermodynamics, specifically the second law, which states that energy transformations are not 100% efficient. Typically, only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next. This means that when a level of organisms, such as plants, converts sunlight into energy, approximately 10% of that energy is available for the next level, which might be herbivores.

The remaining energy is lost primarily through metabolic processes as heat, as well as through other forms such as waste and respiration. This concept is foundational to understanding ecological efficiency and energy pyramids. The 10% value is a general rule of thumb in ecology, allowing for simplification when discussing energy flow within ecosystems.

Understanding this principle is vital for studying population dynamics, resource availability, and overall ecosystem health, as it illustrates the limited energy resources available at higher trophic levels.