Why is the number of producers usually much greater than the number of other organisms in an ecosystem?
Answer options with 4 options
A.
Producers have access to more nutrients than other organisms do.
B.
Competition for resources is greater for other organisms than for producers.
C.
Producers need to provide enough energy to satisfy the needs of other organisms.
D.
Available energy decreases as it is transferred from producers to other organisms.
D. Available energy decreases as it is transferred from producers to other organisms.
D. Available energy decreases as it is transferred from producers to other organisms.
The correct answer is D. Available energy decreases as it is transferred from producers to other organisms.
Explanation: In an ecosystem, energy flows through different levels starting from the producers (plants or other photosynthetic organisms) and then through the consumers (herbivores, carnivores, etc.). Each level relies on the level below it for energy and nutrients. However, as energy is transferred from one level to the next, there is a decrease in the amount of available energy.
This decrease in available energy is due to inefficiencies in energy transfer, such as energy lost as heat during metabolism or energy used for growth and reproduction. As a result, each higher trophic level in the food chain receives less energy than the level below it. This is known as the 10% rule, where approximately 10% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next.
Because of this decrease in available energy, there needs to be a large number of producers to support the energy requirements of the entire ecosystem. If there were fewer producers compared to other organisms, the available energy would quickly be depleted, leading to an energy deficit for the consumers and ultimately the collapse of the ecosystem.