Why are there less secondary consumers in an ecosystem than producers?

Question

A. More tertiary consumers will eat secondary consumers over producers
B. There is less land to use for habitat after the producers grow
C. There isn't enough energy available to support more secondary consumers
D. Around 90% of energy from one trophic level to the next is available

Answer 1

The correct answer is C. There isn't enough energy available to support more secondary consumers.

In an ecosystem, energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, and a significant amount of energy is lost at each level (typically around 90%), primarily through metabolic processes and heat. Because producers (autotrophs) capture energy from the sun and convert it into biomass, they have a much larger biomass compared to secondary consumers. As you move up the trophic levels, less energy is available to support the next level, resulting in fewer secondary consumers than producers.