In the pyramid depicted above, snails eat a biomass of plants, and in turn, are

Question

In the pyramid depicted above, snails eat a biomass of plants, and in turn, are eaten by chickens. A human consumes the chickens. Only 10% of the caloric energy used by the biomass at a trophic level is passed on to the trophic level above it. The remaining energy is lost in metabolic processes, wastes and as heat.

The amount of biomass consumed decreases as we examine the higher trophic levels. If the producers’ biomass represents 10,000 calories, how much of that is ultimately available to the top predator, the person?

Explanation / Answer

According to question, only 10% of the caloric value used by the biomass at a trophic level is passed on to the next trophic level which is just above it.

Initially the biomass of plants represents 10,000 calories and only 10% of it is passed on to the snails.

Thus, the calories passed on to the snails = 10% of 10,000 = 1000 calories.

Again, 10% of this 1000 calories is passed on to the chickens ar the next higher trophic level = 10% of 1000 = 100 calories.

Finally the top predator or the person receives 10% of 100 calories = 10 calories.

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