โ™ป๏ธap environmental science review

Trophic efficiency

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examโ€ขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025

Definition

The percentage of energy from one trophic level that is available to the next trophic level; typically about 10%, meaning 90% is lost through respiration and heat.

AP course connection

Topic 1.1: 1.10 Energy Flow and the 10% Rule

Unit 1

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