In a grassland ecosystem, grass is the producer. The grass is eaten by rabbits. The rabbits are eaten by foxes. And the foxes are eaten by hawks. If the grass produces
83,721 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚^2𝑦𝑟 of energy, how much energy will the apex predator receive?
To calculate the amount of energy the apex predator (hawk) will receive, we need to follow the energy pyramid and consider the energy transfer efficiency at each trophic level.
1. Grass (producer) produces 83,721 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚^2𝑦𝑟 of energy.
2. Rabbits (primary consumers) consume the grass and typically absorb about 10% of the energy available. So, the energy available to rabbits = 83,721 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚^2𝑦𝑟 * 10% = 8,372.1 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚^2𝑦𝑟.
3. Foxes (secondary consumers) consume the rabbits and typically absorb about 10% of the energy available. So, the energy available to foxes = 8,372.1 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚^2𝑦𝑟 * 10% = 837.21 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚^2𝑦𝑟.
4. Hawks (apex predators) consume the foxes and typically absorb about 10% of the energy available. So, the energy available to hawks = 837.21 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚^2𝑦𝑟 * 10% = 83.721 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚^2𝑦𝑟.
Therefore, the apex predator (hawk) will receive 83.721 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚^2𝑦𝑟 of energy.