The number of trophic levels is typically limited to four or five.Which of the following is primarily responsible for this limitation?
A)Many primary and higher-order consumers are opportunistic feeders.
B)Decomposers compete with higher-order consumers for nutrients and energy.
C)Nutrient cycles involve both abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems.
D)Nutrient cycling rates tend to be limited by decomposition by detritivores.
E)Energy transfer between trophic levels tends to be of very low efficiency.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Energy transfer between trophic levels tends to be of very low efficiency, with only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level being passed on to the next. As a result, energy available to higher trophic levels decreases with each level, limiting the number of trophic levels that can be sustained. This is known as the 10% rule.

The Number of Trophic Levels Is Typically Limited to Four