In a forest ecosystem, the energy available at the level of primary producers is 50,000 kcal

Question

. Only 10%
of energy is transferred between levels.

How much energy would be available to tertiary consumers?

(1 point)
Responses

500 kcal
500 kcal

50,000 kcal
50000 kcal

50 kcal
50 kcal

5,000 kcal

Answer 1

To calculate the energy available to tertiary consumers in a forest ecosystem, we can use the 10% energy transfer rule at each trophic level.

1. Primary Producers: 50,000 kcal (this is the initial energy).
2. Primary Consumers: 10% of 50,000 kcal = 5,000 kcal.
3. Secondary Consumers: 10% of 5,000 kcal = 500 kcal.
4. Tertiary Consumers: 10% of 500 kcal = 50 kcal.

Thus, the energy available to tertiary consumers would be 50 kcal.

The correct response is 50 kcal.