Question

In a grassland ecosystem, grass is the producer. The grass is eaten by rabbits. The rabbits are eaten by foxes. And the foxes are eaten by hawks. If the grass produces 83, 721 kcal
т?ут
of energy, how much
energy will the apex predator receive? (1 point)

Answer 1

To calculate the energy that the apex predator (hawks) will receive, we need to consider the energy transfer between each trophic level.

1. Grass (producer) -> Rabbits (primary consumer): Let's assume that 10% of the energy is transferred between each trophic level. Therefore, the rabbits will receive 10% of the energy produced by the grass: 83,721 kcal * 0.10 = 8,372.1 kcal

2. Rabbits (primary consumer) -> Foxes (secondary consumer): Again, assuming a 10% energy transfer efficiency, the foxes will receive 10% of the energy consumed by the rabbits: 8,372.1 kcal * 0.10 = 837.21 kcal

3. Foxes (secondary consumer) -> Hawks (apex predator): Once more, using a 10% energy transfer efficiency, the hawks will receive 10% of the energy consumed by the foxes: 837.21 kcal * 0.10 = 83.721 kcal

Therefore, the apex predator (hawks) will receive 83.721 kcal of energy from the grassland ecosystem.