Question

Cicadas (an insect that eats grass) have incredibly high trophic efficiency (50%!). Assuming an incoming solar radiation of 2,000,000 kC of solar radiation per m2 per year, what is the maximum amount of energy converted to the secondary consumer that feeds entirely on cicadas? Assume that the producers and cicada predators have average trophic efficiencies.

A) 200,000 kC

B) 20,000 kC

C) 10,000 kC

D) 2000 kC

E) 1000 kC

Answer 1

The answer will be 10,000 kC (Option C).

Explanation: Average trophic efficiency is approximately 10%. So, producer & Cicadas predators have 10% trophic efficiency. So, producer will be able to convert 10% of incoming 2,000,000 kC of solar radiation per m² per year or 200,000 kC. So, Cicadas will convert 50% of this 200,000 kC energy or 100,000 kC. Now, Cicadas predator will convert 10% of this 100,000 kC energy or 10,000 kC. Thus correct answer will be option C.