Lindeman and the Ecological Efficiency of Wolves

Abstract

Lindeman introduced 3 themes into ecology. He explained the Eltonian pyramid by his paradigm of energy flow, introduced the hypothesis that succession proceeds in directions that would be energetically efficient and suggested that characteristic efficiencies of energy transfer would be found between trophic levels. The theme of trophic level transfer efficiency (Lindeman efficiency) has been little followed except in studies of the producer trophic level. Apparently no estimates of Lindeman efficiencies of natural animal trophic levels have been made except those, like Lindeman''s own, that are flawed by the use of turnover times. Laboratory studies of small animals in systems where a single species occupies a trophic level are responsible for the general belief that animal trophic levels may be approximately 10% efficient. The Isle Royale [Michigan, USA] wolf-moose system may be compared to a laboratory microcosm in which a single-species population of small animals is maintained at an approximate steady-state. Energy fluxes into the moose and wolf populations are calculated from caloric yields of corpses added to respiration. The ecological (Lindeman) efficiency of the wolf trophic level approximates 1.3%. This Lindeman efficiency compares with the production efficiency of the moose herd of 11.9%, showing that wolves capture only a small portion of the energy theoretically available to them. Lindeman efficiencies of these low orders may be typical of large carnivores and possibly of the hunting type of herbivore. Home range may be an indirect measure of Lindeman efficiency.