Question

Assertion (A): There are generally a greater number of individuals at the lower trophic levels of an ecosystem.

Reason (R): The greatest number is of the producers.

Options

• Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

• Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

• Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.

• Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Answer 1

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

Explanation:

Lower trophic levels have more individuals because producers (the base level) must be vastly more numerous to support the energy needs of consumers above them. According to the 10% Law, only a small fraction of energy reaches higher levels, so a large population of producers at the bottom is required to maintain the ecosystem’s balance.