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What percentage of solar energy is captured by green plants in terrestrial ecosystem?
10 percent
5 percent
100 percent
1 percent
1 percent
Memorize the 1% rule: Green plants capture only about 1% of the total solar energy incident on their leaves and convert it into chemical energy (food energy).
A terrestrial ecosystem with green plants capturing solar energy.
Efficiency=1%
Memorize the 1% rule: Green plants capture only about 1% of the total solar energy incident on their leaves and convert it into chemical energy (food energy).
Confusing the 1% solar energy capture rule with Lindeman's 10% law. The 10% law applies to trophic level energy transfer (plant to herbivore), whereas solar-to-plant capture is only about 1%.
Analyze Solar Energy Absorption
Green plants in terrestrial ecosystems fall on sunlight striking their leaves. Most of this light energy is either reflected, transmitted, or lost as heat due to transpiration.
Incidental┬аSolar┬аEnergy=100%
Recall Photosynthetic Efficiency Standard
Of the total solar energy falling on green leaves, plants capture approximately 1% and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
Captured┬аSolar┬аEnergyтЙИ1%
Differentiate from Lindeman's 10% Law
Do not confuse this with Lindeman's 10% Law, which states that only 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next higher level (e.g., primary producers to primary consumers).
Trophic┬аTransfer┬аEfficiency=10%
D is correct because green plants in terrestrial ecosystems capture only about 1% of the solar energy falling on their leaves and convert it into chemical energy.
Questions on ecosystem bio-energetics often pit the 1% solar capture rule against the 10% trophic level transfer rule to test conceptual clarity. Always double-check whether the energy source mentioned is sunlight or organic biomass!
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