Why is there less biomass at the top of the energy pyramid?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Secondary and tertiary consumers have bigger ranges, so there are fewer of them because they each need a lot of space.
Secondary and tertiary consumers have bigger ranges, so there are fewer of them because they each need a lot of space.

Secondary and tertiary consumers are larger, so there are fewer of them.
Secondary and tertiary consumers are larger, so there are fewer of them.

Secondary and tertiary consumers have to consume a lot more food to support themselves, so there are fewer of them.
Secondary and tertiary consumers have to consume a lot more food to support themselves, so there are fewer of them.

Secondary and tertiary consumers live longer, so there are fewer of them because they reproduce more slowly.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

Secondary and tertiary consumers have to consume a lot more food to support themselves, so there are fewer of them.

This is because of the energy pyramid's structure; as energy moves up the levels, there is a significant loss of energy (approximately 90% at each trophic level due to metabolic processes, heat loss, etc.), resulting in less biomass available to support higher trophic levels like secondary and tertiary consumers. Therefore, fewer individuals can be sustained at these levels compared to primary producers and primary consumers.