Question

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

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

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

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 to consume a lot more food to support themselves, so there are fewer of them.

Answer 1

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

Because energy is lost at each trophic transfer (about ~10% passed on), less energy is available to support biomass at higher levels, so fewer organisms (and less biomass) can be sustained.