To answer this question, we need to use the 10% rule in ecology. The rule states that only 10% of the energy from one level of the food chain is transferred to the next level. Therefore, if the algae produce 8,000,000 kilocalories of energy, then the insects can only use 10% of that energy, which is 800,000 kilocalories. The salmon can only use 10% of the energy from the insects, which is 80,000 kilocalories. Finally, the bears can only use 10% of the energy from the salmon, which is 8,000 kilocalories.
Since the bears need 100 kilocalories to survive, the ecosystem can support 80 individuals (8,000/100). Therefore, the answer is yes, 80 individuals.
A river food chain works as follows:
Algae → insects → salmon → bears
The producers in the ecosystem produce 8,000,000 kilocalories of energy via photosynthesis. The bears need 100 kilocalories to survive. Can the ecosystem support the bears, and if so, how many individuals?
(1 point)
Responses
no, 0.8 individuals
no, 0.8 individuals
yes, 800 individuals
yes, 800 individuals
no, 0 individuals
no, 0 individuals
yes, 80 individuals
1 answer