For most terrestrial ecosystems,pyramids composed of species abundances,biomass,and energy are similar in that they have a broad base and a narrow top.The primary reason for this pattern is that
A)secondary consumers and top-level carnivores require far less energy than producers.
B)at each step,energy is lost from the system because of the second law of thermodynamics.
C)as matter passes through ecosystems,some of the matter is lost to the environment as heat.
D)toxin accumulation in an animal's tissues limits the secondary consumers and top carnivores.
E)top carnivores and secondary consumers have a more general diet than primary producers.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pyramid shape is a result of the second law of thermodynamics, which states that as energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, some energy is lost as heat. This means that there is less energy available to support each successive level, resulting in a pyramid shape.

For Most Terrestrial Ecosystems,pyramids Composed of Species Abundances,biomass,and Energy Are