What percent of energy does a zooplankton get from the sun
Zooplankton, being primary consumers in the aquatic food chain, derive their energy indirectly from the sun. They feed on phytoplankton, which are photosynthetic organisms.
The process by which phytoplankton convert sunlight into energy via photosynthesis is not very efficient, with an average conversion efficiency of around 1%. Therefore, only 1% of the energy from the sun that reaches the surface of the water ends up being captured by phytoplankton as organic matter.
As zooplankton feed on phytoplankton, they can obtain around 10% of the energy stored in the organic matter produced by the phytoplankton. This transfer of energy between trophic levels is known as the 10% rule or 10% transfer efficiency.
Considering these factors, zooplankton ultimately derive about 0.1% (0.01 multiplied by 0.1) of the energy available from the sun. However, it is important to note that this is a rough estimate, as energy transfer in ecosystems can vary depending on various factors.