If the biomass of primary producers of an ecosystem represents 1,000 kcal of energy, how much energy would be available to a secondary consumer?
The correct answer is D. Only about 10 percent of the energy available at each level of an ecosystem food chain is available to the next higher level. Therefore, if 1,000 kcal was available in the system, 100 kcal would be available to primary consumers, and 10 kcal would be available to secondary consumers. A tertiary consumer would only have about 1 kcal of energy available.
The correct answer is D. Only about 10 percent of the energy available at each level of an ecosystem food chain is available to the next higher level. Therefore, if 1,000 kcal was available in the system, 100 kcal would be available to primary consumers, and 10 kcal would be available to secondary consumers. A tertiary consumer would only have about 1 kcal of energy available.