Which of the following is the best definition of ecological efficiency?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4 i.e. The ratio between energy flows at different points in a food chain.
The best definition of ecological efficiency is the ratio between energy flows at different points in a food chain. It refers to the efficiency with which energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next in an ecosystem. Typically, only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is passed on to the next level, with the rest being lost as heat or used in metabolic processes. Ecological efficiency helps explain energy dynamics in food webs.