Question

Given below is a pyramid showing various trophic levels in an ecosystem:

1. From the organisms listed below, identify which one is to be placed at which trophic level?
   Deer, Grass, Lion, Snake, Rabbit
2. Discuss the reason why primary consumers will have more energy as compared to secondary consumers?
3. Why is the base of the pyramid broad?

Answer 1

a. Producers (i): Grass

Primary consumers (ii): Deer, Rabbit

Secondary consumers (iii): Snake

Tertiary consumers (iv): Lion

b. Primary consumers feed directly on producers and receive more energy. At each trophic level, a large amount of energy is lost (about 90%) as heat, so secondary consumers get less energy than primary consumers.

c. The base of the pyramid is broad because producers contain the maximum energy and biomass. They support all higher trophic levels, so their number and energy are highest.