Question

1. What is the total energy? 2. How many primary consumers can we hold? 3. How many secondary consumers? Energy = 85 kcal/m*2 Size = 225,000 m^2 Primary Consumer Need = 15,300 kcal Secondary Consumer Need = 3,825 kcal a) 85 kcal/m² b) 225,000 kcal c) 1,297,500,000 kcal d) 3,825 kcal

Answer 1

The total energy in the ecosystem is 19,125,000 kcal. The ecosystem can support 1,250 primary consumers and 5,000 secondary consumers. Energy loss between trophic levels is due to respiration and metabolic heat loss, affecting the energy available to subsequent levels.The correct option c) 1,297,500,000 kcal

Step-by-step explanation:

Total Energy in an Ecosystem

To calculate the total energy in the ecosystem, we multiply the energy per unit area by the total area. Therefore, the total energy available is 85 kcal/m² × 225,000 m², which equals 19,125,000 kcal.

Number of Primary and Secondary Consumers

The number of primary consumers the ecosystem can support is found by dividing the total energy by the energy requirement of one primary consumer: 19,125,000 kcal / 15,300 kcal/consumer = 1,250 consumers.

Similarly, the number of secondary consumers is calculated by dividing the total energy by the energy requirement of one secondary consumer: 19,125,000 kcal / 3,825 kcal/consumer = 5,000 consumers.

Energy Loss Between Trophic Levels

Energy loss between trophic levels occurs due to respiration and metabolic heat loss. This concept is key in understanding net primary productivity, which is the energy that remains after accounting for these losses. This remaining energy is available to the next trophic level. In the Silver Springs ecosystem, a large amount of energy is lost between trophic levels, resulting in very little energy reaching the tertiary consumers.The correct option c) 1,297,500,000 kcal