Question Use the 10% rule to calculate the estimated level of energy that will be transferred to the coyote, at the highest trophic level, in the food chain shown in the table. (1 point) Responses 200 Kcal 200 Kcal 20,000 Kcal 20,000 Kcal 2,000 Kcal 2,000 Kcal 20 Kcal

Answer 1

The 10% rule in an ecological context states that only about 10% of the energy at one trophic level is passed on to the next trophic level. To determine the energy available to the coyote at the highest trophic level, we would need to know the amount of energy available at the trophic level below it.

If we assume you have the following energy values at the different levels in the food chain:

1. Producers (plants): 20,000 Kcal
2. Primary consumers (herbivores): 2,000 Kcal (which is 10% of 20,000 Kcal)
3. Secondary consumers (carnivores): 200 Kcal (which is 10% of 2,000 Kcal)
4. Tertiary consumers (the coyote): 20 Kcal (which is 10% of 200 Kcal)

So if the coyote is the highest trophic level and we are going from the energy available to the secondary consumers (200 Kcal), then using the 10% rule:

Energy transferred to the coyote = 10% of 200 Kcal = 20 Kcal.

Therefore, the estimated level of energy that will be transferred to the coyote is 20 Kcal.