Which of the following is primarily responsible for limiting the number of trophic levels in most ecosystems?
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.
E) Energy transfer between trophic levels is almost always less than 20% efficient.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Only about 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, and this inefficiency limits the number of trophic levels that can be sustained in most ecosystems. As a result, there are typically only a few trophic levels in most ecosystems before energy becomes insufficient to support additional levels.

Which of the Following Is Primarily Responsible for Limiting the Number