Question

In a forest ecosystem, the energy available at the level of primary producers is 50,000 kcal
. Only 10%
of energy is transferred between levels.

How much energy would be available to tertiary consumers?

(1 point)
Responses

50 kcal
50 kcal

50,000 kcal
50000 kcal

5,000 kcal
5000 kcal

500 kcal

Answer 1

In a forest ecosystem, the energy transfer between trophic levels is indeed about 10%. To find the energy available to tertiary consumers, we can break it down as follows:

1. **Primary Producers**: 50,000 kcal
2. **Primary Consumers (herbivores)**: 10% of 50,000 kcal = 5,000 kcal
3. **Secondary Consumers (carnivores that eat herbivores)**: 10% of 5,000 kcal = 500 kcal
4. **Tertiary Consumers (carnivores that eat other carnivores)**: 10% of 500 kcal = 50 kcal

Thus, the amount of energy available to tertiary consumers is **50 kcal**.

So, the correct response is:

**50 kcal**.