Question

In 1-2 sentences, explain why there are so many less individual organisms at the level labeled "5" than there are at the level labeled "1." Your explanation should include how energy flow affects the number of organisms at each level. Grading Considerations: Your answer should be in 1-2 complete sentences. Your answer must include the name of the organisms at level 1 and level 5 when explaining your answer. Your answer should should be supported by how energy flows through an ecosystem. Answers longer than 4 sentences will not be considered. Answering concisely and to the point is evidence for your understanding of the topic. (2 points)

top of the pyramid is a single hawk (1kcal)
under it is three snakes (10 kcal)
under that is four frogs (100 kcal)
under that is five grasshoppers (1,000 kcal)
under that is the bottom and it has grass (10,100 kcal)

Answer 1

At level 1, the grass (producers) captures the most energy through photosynthesis, supporting a larger number of organisms, while at level 5, the hawk (top predator) receives significantly less energy, resulting in fewer individual organisms. This energy loss at each trophic level—approximately 90% as energy is converted to metabolic processes and heat—limits the population size at higher levels like that of the hawk.